Sheriff shows leniency over drugs possession

A man who fled East Kilbride after being caught with cocaine worth more than £5000 has been shown leniency by a sheriff.

Bryan Dare claimed he moved away because he was“terrified”as he’d run up debts and been threatened.

Dare made an initial court appearance after the raid at his flat in Hutton Drive, East Kilbride, in May 2016, but failed to turn up for a pre-trial hearing the following year.

Dare, 35, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week having previously admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine and breaching bail conditions by not attending court.

Jennifer McLaren, prosecuting, said a property manager called police to say there was“evidence of drug misuse”at Dare’s flat.

Officers found white powder, rolled up banknotes and scales on top of a TV.

Ms McLaren said various bags of what turned out to be cocaine were seized along with scales, plastic bags and two ‘tick lists’.

She added:“The total value of the drugs is about £5300.”

Dare was given bail after appearing in court the next day, but there was no sign of him at a pre-trial hearing in March 2017.

Solicitor Diarmid Bruce said his client’s problems were related to drugs use.

Mr Bruce told the court:“He owed a considerable amount of money and various threats were made to him.

“He re-located and was genuinely terrified, not only of going to prison but of returning to this area.

“The outstanding debts have been cleared and he has made positive attempts to turn his life around. He is not a prolific offender.”

Sheriff Thomas Millar ordered Dare to carry out 225 hours of unpaid community work on the drug dealing charge.

Turning to his failure to attend court, the sheriff said:“You’ll be admonished on that charge as I accept the explanation I’ve been given.”