Man ordered at knifepoint to sell drugs by pair at Drumchapel home

Nathan Vaiulumuli, 25, and Christopher Keir, 24, bullied their victim at the latter's home in Drumchapel in October 2023.

The man - who delivered drugs for cash - allowed his own property to be used by the pair while he attended rehabilitation.

However, upon being discharged, Vaiulumuli and Keir claimed that £1,800 had gone "missing" the man's property.

The debt shot up to £15,000 and the man was ordered at knifepoint to "work" for them to pay it off.

He was threatened with violence and even held overnight in Keir's property by Vaiulumuli.

The man went to lengths such as taking out a loan in his mum's bank account to pay off the debt.

Both men appeared from custody today at Glasgow Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to a charge of extorsion.

Keir separately admitted a further charge of being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

The court heard that the man knew Keir for around one year before the incident.

The man allowed his property to be used by Keir and his associates while he was away.

Prosecutor Ross Canning said: "Keir, Vaiulumuli and a man known as Jig made accusations that money had gone missing from [the man's] home.

"It was initially reported at £1,800 however this was changed to demands of £15,000."

The man attended Keir's property and Vaiulumuli arrived with a large knife while Jig listened through a phone call.

The knife was raised up at the man and he agreed to work for them to pay off the debt.

The man did "work" for Keir in Edinburgh before he returned to his home in Glasgow.

Vaiulumuli was again in attendance with a knife and said that he was going to get "five grand for ripping his face off."

However, the man was instructed again to work off the debt and stay at Keir's flat that night.

Vaiulumuli did not let the man leave the property which left him "in fear of his life."

Vaiulumuli sent a message saying: "On a scale of 0-10 how bad will I go with this c***?"

He received a reply of: "Do your thing bro, he's there anyway, he agrees to pay a score, will do whatever it takes."

Vaiulumuli claimed he would give the man a "polite warning" if he agreed to pay back the debt.

Vaiulumuli later took the man to a Vauxhall Corsa and ordered him to drive it.

He was stopped by the police who found money as well as drugs on him.

Mr Canning said: "He admitted that he was paying off a drug debt and that Nathan gave him the vehicle for delivery purposes."

The man was told to attend Keir's home the next day when he was quizzed about what he told the police.

The fiscal depute said: "Vaiulumuli held a knife on the man's finger and Jig was heard to laugh down the phone.

"Vaiulumuli asked Jig what finger he wanted him to take while holding the knife.

"Keir and Vaiulumuli told the man that he was working for them and that was it."

The man claimed that he could get £2,000 to pay towards the debt and that he would apply for a loan on his mother's online banking.

The man's mother withdrew the cash from a bank in Paisley and she gave it to Vaiulumuli who claimed he was "just an errand boy."

Vaiulumuli and Keir were later spotted depositing the cash at a bank in Clyde Shopping Centre.

The next day, the man was in the Balloch area delivering drugs when the tyre of an Audi he was driving burst.

The man called the police and stated that he was "in trouble."

He was found in possession of drugs by officers who attended. The man told them that he was being "forced to sell drugs."

On November 3, 2023, police raided Keir's home in Drumchapel and recovered £1,200 of cocaine.

Drug paraphernalia and a number of mobile phones were also found in the property.

Ross Jenkins, defending Vaiulumuli and Ian Sievwright, defending Keir, will make their pleas in mitigation at next month's sentencing.

Background reports were called for meantime by Sheriff Tony Kelly.

He said: "In light of the gravity of the matters you have pled guilty to, you will be remanded in custody."