AN EX-SQUADDIE from Ayr turned to drug dealing to make some money after leaving the armed forces.

Thomas Wade was caught with a £3,000 haul of the class A drug in his car in the town.

The 47-year-old pleaded guilty at Ayr Sheriff Court to being in possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply it to others.

The court heard the drug was discovered in a Tesco bag in the boot of his vehicle after Wade was pulled over in Lochside Road on September 3, 2021.

Police later raided Wade’s home address in the town’s James Street.

The procurator fiscal depute told the January 4 hearing: “At 10.25pm duty officers in a marked vehicle observed the accused driving a Vauxhall Corsa.

“He was asked to stop and did so.

“He then exited the vehicle and engaged with officers, but appeared nervous and agitated.”

A search of the Corsa’s boot revealed a Tesco ‘Bag for Life’ containing 126 grams of cocaine as well as 161 grams of the anaesthetic benzocaine.

The court heard the value of the haul was estimated at £3,300, but that it could have been worth £5,040 if sub-divided.

Officers also found other items suggesting a connection with drug supply, including bags, a grinder and spoon boxes, while a set of scales was discovered at Wade’s home.

The fiscal depute added: “He was informed he was under arrest.

“A search warrant was granted [for the accused’s home] and entry forced, with the scales recovered.

“During interview he accepted ownership of the items and stated he was ‘trying to make some money’.

Defence solicitor Colin McLaughlin told the court his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and received support from the Combat Stress charity.

Mr McLaughlin said he would reserve further comment in mitigation until his client’s sentencing hearing.

Sheriff Shirley Foran deferred sentence for background reports; Wade’s bail was continued.