A BEITH criminal was caught exchanging more than £120,000 of dirty cash with another man while under police surveillance.

Terry Williamson, 40, and James Jackson, 66, were spotted doing the handover in Dundee on October 13, 2022.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that the men were put under surveillance between September and December that year.

Jackson, of Beith, was spotted driving to Dundee in a Volkswagen car and was later joined by Williamson in a BMW motor.

Prosecutor Ross Canning said: "Williamson got out of the motor vehicle with a weighted JD Sports bag.

"He went into the passenger side of Jackson's car in possession of the bag.

"Williamson went back into his car within a period of two minutes then drove off."

Officers followed Jackson back to Glasgow where he was noted to interact with his daughter and former co-accused Stephanie Jamieson.

Mr Canning said: "Officers witnessed Jamieson exit the house in possession of a brown box which was covered.

"Officers had reason to pull over Jamieson for a search of the vehicle.

"During the search, it was accepted that Jamieson did not know what was in the box and that inside of it was the JD Sports bag."

Within the bag were seven fire sealed bags which were seized by officers.

The bags ranged in different quantities of cash between £8,000 and £39,940.

A forensic examination uncovered Williamson's fingerprints on two packages.

Jackson and Williamson pleaded guilty to acquiring and possessing £122,800 of criminal property.

Jamieson, also of Beith, had her not guilty plea accepted to the charge.

Campbell Porter, defending Williamson, of Dundee, told the court that his client was paid £200 to deliver the cash and "did not make any further inquiries".

Bob Mitchell, defending Jackson, stated that his client worked in the car delivery trade at the time which involved cash.

The lawyer said: "On this occasion he was asked to collect money and not a vehicle.

"The person who asked him to do this had previously asked him to deliver vehicles but on this occasion he went and collected money.

"He accept that he had been suspicious."

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Tony Kelly who granted the pair bail meantime.

The sheriff said: "I view these offences as significant which on the face of it attracts a custodial sentence but I am not pre-judging the matter."