92 cannabis plants seized from Caithness mansion where pair deny running drugs farm

Two Caithness men have gone on trial accused of operating a cannabis farm at a historic mansion in the county.

Philip Nicholson (53), of Scotscalder, and Damon Mackay (35), of Huddart Street, Wick, also deny having been concerned in the supply of the Class B drug at Sackville House, Hastigrow, Bower.

Early evidence at Wick Sheriff Court on Thursday focused on the layout of the once-stately home partly destroyed by fire many years ago, which left it in a ruined state.

Peter Campbell, of Pennyland Drive, Thurso, was brought up in the house, where his father was a gamekeeper.

Mr Campbell (32) identified various rooms from photos seen by the jury as productions, mainly of “rubbish” items which he said didn’t belong to him.

Evidence agreed by the prosecution and defence included 92 cannabis plants recovered by police who searched Sackville House, items of equipment including a fan, a seed bag, and DNA samples were also removed.

There was drama in court when Mr Campbell was invited to name people who had visited Sackville House.

Mr Campbell said that there were a lot of people “coming and going” to the property and he had no reason to keep track of them.

Pressed by fiscal depute David Ballek to name some of them, Mr Campbell replied: “I have been threatened not to say certain things in court. I would not like to name names.”

Sheriff Neil Wilson reminded Mr Campbell that he had taken an oath to tell the truth and when he was asked questions, he was obliged to answer them.

Mr Campbell gave certain names including the two accused, seen in the grounds of the house working with car parts and had spoken to them.

Mr Ballek: “How many times did you see them and when?”

Mr Campbell replied: “I don’t know. I can’t remember. It was a few years ago. People appeared at the house and disappeared.”

A special defence has been lodged by solicitors Atlanta Jack, for Mackay, and Mhyrin Hill, for Nicholson.

The trial continues on Friday.