A SINGER who performs as a Paolo Nutini tribute act has gone on trial accused of drug dealing after police raided his home.

Jamie McArthur, who uses Paolo Martini as an alias for his shows, allegedly produced and was concerned in the supply of class-C drug etizolam between July 2017 and March this year.

He is on trial at the High Court in Glasgow alongside his former girlfriend Allana Morton, 27, Eric Reid, 45, Jamie Woods, 29, and 26-year-old Mark Reid.

It is alleged the offences were committed at McArthur's home in Earlshill Drive, Howwood.

McArthur, 28, also faces a separate charge of possessing cannabis.

Today, the court heard part of Morton's police interview with Detective Constable Raymond Brownlow, which took place in March.

During the interview, she said she had split up from McArthur and hadn't stayed at the Earlshill Drive property since February.

When asked what McArthur did for a living, Morton described him as “an entertainer” and said he performed tribute acts.

Solicitor advocate Bob Mitchell, representing McArthur, asked the officer if, during the search of the house, he noticed a dressing room with McArthur's name on the door.

DC Brownlow said he couldn't remember that.

Mr Mitchell then asked if it would surprise him that there would be a dressing room in the house, because of McArthur's job.

The officer replied: “No.”

Mr Mitchell asked if the police enquiries revealed that McArthur performed as a tribute act to Paolo Nutini.

DC Brownlow answered: “The enquiries didn't but I'm sure it was over the Press the following day."

Jurors heard that McArthur had been performing using the name Paolo Martini “for some time.”

The court also heard that forensic scientist Simon Dennis had tested one of the tablets seized during the police search and found that it contained etizolam, also known as fake Valium.

All five accused deny the charges against them and the trial, before Judge Norman Ritchie QC, continues.