Semi-pro footballer is told to get his life back onside

A semi-professional footballer was caught in possession – of a dealer’s quantity of cocaine.

Dean Small was described by his club as“an exciting midfielder with bags of ability”.

But a sheriff slammed him over his dabbling with the Class A drug and a serious case of careless driving which led to the cocaine being discovered.

However, 26-year-old Small still got a result when he avoided a prison sentence over the charges.

Small, of Main Street, Salsburgh, plays for Newmains United and announcing his arrival on Facebook last October, the club said:“Welcome Dean Small, an exciting midfielder with bags of ability to burn.”

At Hamilton Sheriff Court, he admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine on July 5 last year. He had 22 grams of the drug, worth £900.

He also admitted failing to stop for a police officer in Holytown Road on the same day, and driving carelessly on various roads in the village.

An additional allegation that his behaviour amounted to dangerous driving was deleted.

Small ignored the order to stop and broke the speed limit to overtake traffic, causing other drivers to swerve.

He went through a red light then overtook a car on a blind corner.

The cocaine was found when the cops finally caught up with him.

His lawyer, Diarmid Bruce, said Small holds down a job as, among other things, a driver with a transport company and the behaviour,“is not typical of him”.

He added:“My client is a talented semiprofessional footballer.

“Clearly it was foolish of him to become involved with drugs even on a recreational basis. He has let himself down and this has embarrassed him and his family.”

Sheriff Allan McKay didn’t hold back in his criticism of Small, telling him:“You’ve a lot going for you and have put everything at risk.

“It’s a crying shame that you have put yourself in this position.

“My first thought on looking at these charges was to send you to prison, but there are reasons not to and so you will avoid jail, but only just.

“I was impressed by the content of the social work report and by your previous non-offending.”

Instead, the sheriff fined Small £600 on the driving charges, payable at £100 per month, and banned him from the roads for nine months.

He also imposed an electronic tagging order for 75 days.

The sheriff told Small:“You have a full life and I’m not doing anything to inhibit that.

“You will be restricted to your home address between 10.30pm and 8am each day, seven days a week.

“That should allow you to work and carry out your other activities.”