A drug dealer in his 70s was found with nearly £90,000 worth of heroin wrapped up inside a leopard skin dress and a pair of dirty shorts.

John Williamson, 73, was found guilty of stashing the huge haul of heroin because he failed to wash the shorts he wrapped it in.

A jury was told the drug was wrapped first in the blue striped shorts and Williamson's DNA was clearly identified on the inside of the clothing.

They were told if the shorts had been washed before using them to conceal the drug consignment then it would not have been clearly linked to Williamson.

The jury at Perth Sheriff Court was told the item was found on a shelf in a cupboard and the drugs were found inside a box wrapped in the leopard print dress.

Inside the box were 13 packages of heroin folded up inside Williamson's shorts and the haul of drugs was said to have a potential street value of £88,000.

Williamson, of Manse Crescent, Stanley, Perthshire, was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of diamorphine at his home on December 23, 2014.

Scottish Police Authority forensic scientist Barry Mitchell told the trial: "Potentially there was a different person's DNA on the outside to the inside of the shorts.

"There was a mixed profile, indicating that there was DNA from more than one person. The DNA on the inside of the shorts may have arisen from the wearer of the shorts.

"There was a major contributor. We established that John Williamson could be that male major contributor. The test is extremely reliable and accepted globally.

"We would not have expected that DNA to have persisted through washing or laundering. If the item was washed we would not expect the DNA to persist. If kept in good condition it could persist almost indefinitely."

Fiscal depute Gavin Letford told the jury the evidence against Williamson was circumstantial and there was no dispute the drugs had been found at his home.

He said it was also beyond dispute that the amount involved, almost a kilogram, meant it was being stored for onward supply.

Mr Letford added: "The accused's DNA was found on the shorts. They were the shorts used to wrap up these 13 packages. That is not disputed.

"The only DNA on the shorts that found a match belonged to John Williamson. They were his shorts and they were used to wrap up these packages.

"It can be reasonably inferred that he used his house to store drugs and used his house as a safe house. He knew these drugs were stored in the storage cupboard."

After being found guilty of drug supply, Williamson was warned he faced a prison sentence but was freed on bail pending the preparation of background reports.

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