Police in Perthshire found illegal spray stashed by Dundee ‘gangster’.

Police entered James McPhee’s mother’s home in Crieff looking for drugs, but instead discovered the prohibited spray.

A “gangster” money lender from Dundee stored illicit incapacitant spray at his mother’s home in Perthshire.

Three and a half years ago, the residence in Crieff was raided as part of a police drug operation. However, the illicit substance discovered by authorities was pelargonic acid vanillylamide, or PAVA, which is illegal under guns laws.

James McPhee was spared a trip to jail after serving time for attempting to extort two women in the months leading up to the raid.

Firearm find

On June 11, 2021, Perth Sheriff Court heard that police went to McPhee’s mother’s home to execute a drug search warrant. McPhee was not there, but investigators found a PAVA can in the living room.

The spray canister’s edges, push button, and flip safety cover all had McPhee’s DNA. When he was later examined by police, he explained that he frequently stayed with his mother.

Sentenced

McPhee confessed the offence, a violation of the Firearms Act 1968, which outlaws firearms created or adapted to discharge hazardous liquids or gases, ahead of a jury trial slated for September.

He was on bail at the time for another firearms-related accusation, which a sheriff later determined did not warrant an answer. The court heard that McPhee began offending at the age of 16 when he was convicted of wilful fire-raising.

He has also been convicted of breaching bail and other court conditions, culpable and reckless conduct, intentional mischief, and dishonesty.

McPhee, 32, had his sentence deferred so that social workers could interview him.

Sheriff William Wood ordered him to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and placed him under a curfew for the next six months, limiting him to his residence on Craigie Drive in Dundee.

Threatening racket

McPhee has already received an 18-month prison sentence for attempting to extort two individuals in April and August 2021.

The self-described “f***ing gangster” advertised his amateur money-lending services on social media to Crieff people in financial need.

One victim was struggling financially, while the other was a vulnerable adult with learning disabilities.

When they were unable to repay twice what they owed, he threatened them and their families with violence.

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