NEWS: Solicitor on drugs charges

Mark McLaughlin and Laura Cummings
Edinburgh Evening News
January 21, 2009

A SOLICITOR has appeared in court on drugs charges following the death of a young man from a suspected overdose.

Grant O'Connor, 36, a partner with law firm Allan McDougall based on Dalkeith High Street, appeared in private at Edinburgh Sheriff Court this week on charges of possessing and supplying drugs and has been released on bail.

His appearance followed the death of 25-year-old Edinburgh scaffolder David Norris at the weekend. Friends say Mr Norris, who worked with Mayfield firm J&I Scaffolding Ltd, had been drinking in The Buccleuch pub on Dalkeith High Street after work on Friday night.

Later that evening, he was said to have begun feeling unwell and was taken to a friend's house in Newbattle Abbey Crescent.

An ambulance was called and friends tried to give him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, but he later died.

"Police are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination, but believe he died from a "suspected overdose".

A spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police said: "Police were called to an address in Newbattle Abbey Crescent in Dalkeith in the early hours of Saturday morning, following the sudden death of a man from a suspected drug overdose.

"A 36-year-old man has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court in connection with this matter, charged with a number of offences relating to the possession and supply of drugs."

O'Connor appeared on petition at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday on three charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

He made no plea or declaration and he was released on bail while the case was continued for further inquiry.

Philip Yelland, director of standards at the Law Society of Scotland, said: "Allegations of this kind are serious.

"The Society has been made aware of charges against a solicitor, but we cannot comment on the case as it is ongoing."

O'Connor, who was made a partner in 2001, specialises in family and property law.

Senior partner David Nicol said: "Mr O'Connor is not attending work and there is much we have to find out and discuss.

"This is something we knew nothing about until we were contacted at the weekend when he had been detained.

"He has his own representation for what has arisen and the matter is in the hands of his criminal defence lawyer."

Meanwhile, Mr Norris's distraught girlfriend Lesley Laughlan, who lived with him on Howdenhall Drive in Gracemount, today told of her loss.

She said: "I miss him so much. I will always remember the amazing times and the special moments we shared together. I will always love him and will be thinking about him every single day."

Colleague Roy Lorimer, 30, from Little France, said the former Gracemount High pupil was "a fantastic guy".

He added: "I challenge anyone to say a bad word about him."

Mr Norris's mother Linda, who lives in Tollcross, was too distraught to speak.

Alan Cantwell, contracts manager for J&I Scaffolding Ltd, called him "a valued employee who will be sadly missed by all the guys at the company".

He added: "It's a bad loss for us. He worked here for five years. He was a good guy."

Allan McDougall also has offices in Coates Crescent, Edinburgh, Penicuik and Glasgow.