Drug dealer escapes jail

Coatbridge man admits crime

A Coatbridge drug dealer caught with cocaine valued at a four- figure sum has avoided prison by the skin of his teeth.

Alan Dunsmore was charged with being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug following a police search of his Kelso Quadrant home on February 12.

The 30-year-old was also found with £1230 in cash and later told police he supplied the drug to friends at “social events”.

Dunsmore entered a guilty plea at Airdrie Sheriff Court and was back for sentencing last week after a deferral for reports into his background.

The procurator fiscal told the court: “At 6.40pm, police entered the property with a search warrant.

“People were within the property and the accused was found in the bedroom.

“He was cautioned and detained and freely stated, ‘ this is nothing to do with them, it’s all mine’.

“A police search recovered quantities of polythene bags on a stool, digital scales with traces of white powder, various paraphernalia associated with the supply of drugs and £1230 in cash.

“During the search, two separate amounts – 54.2g and 5.3g – of cocaine were found, with a value of between £1400 and £ 2360, depending on how the individual bags were compiled.

“When interviewed by the police, the accused stated he was involved in the sale and supply of cocaine and had been doing so for a few years.”

Defence solicitor Mark Fallon highlighted that his client owned up to his mindless actions, saying in mitigation: “He has been open and honest about his culpability.

“He makes no excuses and doesn’t seek to minimise his involvement.

“He has a limited record and stayed out of trouble for a significant amount of time.

“My client is in full- time employment and has a good work ethic.

“He supplied drugs to his friends at social events. He has taken steps to tackle his misuse of drugs.”

But Sheriff Petra Collins was unimpressed by Dunsmore’s conduct and warned him he was on the verge of spending time behind bars: “Being concerned in the supply of any Class A drug would normally result in a custodial sentence.

“On the narrowest of margins, I am not going to jail you today.

“I will make a community payback order with 280 hours’ unpaid work, which I have reduced from the maximum of 300 hours due to your plea, and this must be completed within 12 months.

“If you breach this order, then you can expect a custodial sentence.”