Caddy caught with jars of cannabis after smash

Stewart Rennie of Kyle Crescent in Coylton sourced the Class B drugs from Glasgow as he was told it was “better stuff” than what he was getting locally.

But the 43-year-old was caught red-handed when he was involved in a road accident which called police to attend who were prompted to search his car.

Depute Fiscal Andrew Lazzarin told the court: “At around 10.50pm police were called out to a report of a Road Traffic Accident on the A77 at Minishant. Police attended and found the accused’s vehicle damaged.”

Mr Lazzarin went on to describe Rennie smelling of drink and staggering. Officers found five glass jars containing herbal material in stashed in a bag, then a further four glass jars were found within his car. The total estimated worth of the cannabis was between £600-£900.

Witnesses at the scene pointed police to a field where Rennie had apparently fled, and he was found hiding out in the changing rooms of a local football ground.

Defence counsel Ian Gillies told the court his client was used to acquiring cannabis where he lived in America as it was legal if used medically. Mr Gillies said: “He’s a single man with no previous convictions. He was a golf caddy in America. He got into issues there with depression and alcoholism and bought cannabis for what’s known as medical purposes over there.

“He felt that the cannabis he was purchasing here was not as strong. People in Girvan advised he could get better stuff from Glasgow.”

Rennie was spared of a jail sentence after Mr Gillies added: “He realises it’s not appropriate in this country.”

He was guilty of failing to provide breath specimens to police to determine his drunk state, and being in possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

The golf caddy, who now works at Turnberry, was given a Community Payback Order and a Restriction of Liberty Order where he must remain within his home address between 10pm and 7am for three months.

He was also banned from driving for 15 months.