Drug dealer dodges jail over fears for his grandson

Letter about child helps sway sheriff

A drug dealer has been spared jail after a court heard locking him up would be bad for his grandson.

John Dobbs could have been caged at Paisley Sheriff Court after being caught dealing drugs from a property in the town.

But Sheriff James Spy spared the 60-year-old prison - after being told that jailing him would have an adverse effect on the grandchild.

Dobbs had earlier pleaded guilty to dealing cannabis, a class B drug, at a flat in Hawkhead Road between October 2019 and January 2020.

His not guilty pleas were accepted to charges he had also produced cannabis at the property, and bypassed the electricity meter.

When Dobbs returned to the dock this week to be sentenced, defence solicitor Jim Rhodes said: “He is under no illusion that custody will be at the forefront of the court’s mind.

“It is my submission that you could impose a Community Payback Order with a considerable number of unpaid hours.”

The lawyer said that Dobbs, who now lives in Glasgow, had “found himself in debt” which led to him making “an absolutely catastrophic decision” to deal drugs.

He added that Dobbs was “absolutely remorseful” over his criminal actions and said an unnamed “establishment” had provided a letter “concerning the grandson.”

He added: “The deputy head is particularly concerned about the impact his incarceration would have on the child.”

Sheriff James Spy could have caged Dobbs for up to five years for the offences and said: “My first inclination here was to impose a period of custody.

“But, looking at it again, and considering what I’ve heard, a distinction can be drawn between charge one [producing the drug] and charge two [dealing the drug].

“This still remains a serious offence, but I do take into account your age and the fact it’s been 40 years since your last conviction.

“With some considerable hesitation, I shall impose a Community Payback Order.

“You’ll only get one shot at this, Mr Dobbs.”

He told him he will be supervised by social workers for 30 months and gave him 15 months to carry out 300 hours unpaid work - the maximum available.

And he was told that jail was still a possibility in the case - as he could be caged for 18 months if he breaches the order.

You’ll only get one shot at this, Mr Dobbs