Third year caught with coke has criminal record wiped to save his career
They let him off the hook because he’s going to get a first
Jack CummingsA top Engineering student has had his criminal record cleared despite being busted with cocaine in a nightclub.
Conor McCarthy, 21, was caught with a bag of the class A drugs in an Aberdeen club, but was told a conviction should not “blight” his career prospects.
The lucky Strathclyde student had been celebrating the end of exams when police spotted him with coke in his hometown.
Conor Mccarthy was let off because of his career prospects. Photo: Facebook
Earlier this week Conor, who studies Mechanical Engineering, appeared at Aberdeen court and admitted possessing the drug.
He was handed an absolute discharge by the sheriff after the court heard the crime could cost him his career.
This means that he will not be punished for the offence and it will never ever appear on his criminal record – meaning he’s got away with it.
Labour MSP for North-East Scotland Lewis Macdonald disagreed with the ruling, saying the courts should not treat people favourably because of their background or education.
He said: “It is important the system is even handed in the way it treats people. An offence is and offence no matter who carries it out. There should be no social prejudices no matter what when dealing with these cases.”
Conor is apparently ‘heading for a first class degree’. Photo: Facebook
Conor was spotted acting suspiciously in the toilets of the Tunnels club back in May and was searched by officers who suspected him of possessing coke.
He was found with a bag of white power in his hands, which was later discovered to be cocaine.
Representing Conor in court yesterday, solicitor Gregor Kelly said his client had been at a party celebrating the end of term and had been offered drugs which were worth about £35.
He said: “He was back in Aberdeen and had been offered some cocaine. He is rather naive and immature and is not often in Aberdeen and was caught up in the moment of the big city.”
Mr Kelly said McCarthy realised he had “let himself and his family down” and said his father was “extremely ashamed” of his son’s behaviour.
The solicitor added: “He is headed for a first class degree and this would be a major blight to his future.”
The sheriff agreed and said: “Having previous convictions for drug offences can blight ones career in all sorts of ways, I do not want you to have that, and in all the circumstances I grant you an absolute discharge.”