Ayrshire Drug-dealing dad jailed

Aug 22 2008

AN UNEMPLOYED dad resorted to dealing in killer cocaine to make a quick buck.

David Skilling was caught with more than £4000 worth of the class A drug as well as a stash of cash when cops raided his Dunure home in December last year.

The 41-year-old dad of three was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to the offence.

Depute fiscal Lorraine Sweeney told Ayr Sheriff Court that police turned up at Skilling’s house armed with a warrant.

Officers found cocaine, £700 in cash and other paraphernalia in Skilling’s Kennedy Drive house.

He also had a stash in his pocket as well as scales, a spoon and more of the drug in his car.

Skilling admitted straight away that the drugs were his and that he was dealing it to make a quick profit. During an interview at Ayr police station, Skilling, a painter and decorator to trade, said that he had purchased 4oz for £3000.

He confessed he had been selling it for six months, earning about £300 a week.

Defence lawyer Colin Adam said that the drug-dealing weighed heavily on Skilling.

Mr Adam added: “He had been unemployed for some months and was unable to support his family the way he wanted to.

“It was solving his financial difficulties but it did come with a lot of shame.

“It was something of a relief when the police became involved.”

Jailing Skilling for 24 months, Sheriff John Montgomery said: “People who have been concerned in the supply of class A drugs can expect nothing else than a custodial sentence.”