Ex-pop group manager admits supplying drugs

Former Bay City Rollers manager Tam Paton was today fined £200,000 (€296,721) after he admitted supplying cannabis.

Paton, 65, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying cannabis and cannabis resin, between January and March 2003.

The drugs had a street value of (€38,574).

He denied two charges of supplying the class A drugs cocaine and ecstasy and his pleas were accepted by the Crown.

At the High Court in Edinburgh, temporary judge Roderick MacDonald QC told Paton that in view of his age and poor health he would not impose a custodial sentence, but a substantial financial penalty “which will cause you pain and punish you”.

Speaking outside court, Paton, of Gogar Station Road, Edinburgh, condemned the “ridiculous” cannabis laws and said he intended to leave the country in order to “get myself together”.