Elgin man - formerly of Invergordon - sent Highland Council housing officer text offering drugs

A drug dealer was arrested after accidentally sending a text message offering a council official ecstasy.

Sebastian Percival, who was living in Invergordon at the time of the incident in July 2024, but now lives on Elgin’s Blane Place, was liaising with a Highland Council housing officer about his accommodation when he sent the text offering drugs.

Fiscal depute Alison Young told Sheriff Gary Aitken that on July 23, 2024, the local authority employee received a message from Percival offering to sell her drugs, including ecstasy, and asking for cash rather than bank transfer.

"Realising that she had got this in error and that he was involved in selling drugs, she reported it to the police,” Mrs Young added.

The 21-year-old's house was raided by police who discovered 525.97 grams of cannabis, with a street value of between £3125 and £5205 plus £735 in cash.

Percival pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Sentence was deferred until March 18 for a background report as his solicitor, Natalie Paterson informed the court that her client was on a community payback order.

Sheriff Aitken commented: "For the time being anyway."