A cocaine dealer caught after a homophobic attack in a Dundee bar has been ordered to perform the maximum number of unpaid work hours.
Deano Foulis endured a rollercoaster sentencing hearing at the city’s sheriff court for his May 2024 crimes.
The 22-year-old was placed in handcuffs in the dock before being released when a sheriff imposed a last-resort alternative to a jail term.
Foulis, who has a previous conviction for assaulting a police officer, previously admitted abusing a staff member and attacking him with a measuring cup at Nola, Union Street.
He was seen causing annoyance to others in the bar at around 1.45am and was warned about his conduct by a worker.
However, Foulis was “immediately hostile” and threw the cup at the man, making homophobic slurs.
Police were contacted and found him at McDonald’s in Reform Street.
Prosecutor Emma Farmer said: “Whilst in the police van, he was found to have scales containing residue of cocaine and £655.84 in cash.”
A family member allowed police to search Foulis’ home, where a bag of cocaine worth £3,832 and weighing 38.32g was discovered.
Police failed to notice Foulis, of Whitecraig Loan, had concealed a bag of cocaine in his cell at the West Bell Street headquarters.
CCTV showed a wrap containing 5.74g (worth £574) of cocaine fell out of his shorts.
A social work report was prepared in advance of sentencing and solicitor Mike Short said his client had made efforts to curb his drinking and drug use.
Mr Short said: “The long-term goal is to get his licence to go offshore.”
Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith interjected: “If he’s on the sniff he’s not going to get offshore because he’ll be subjected to random drug testing.”
During a lengthy address, Sheriff Niven-Smith told Foulis he had identified a total sentence of 18 months in prison.
However, he chose to impose a direct alternative to custody in the form of 300 hours of unpaid work, two years of supervision and drug testing as part of a conduct requirement.
He said: “This is your one and only chance to avoid a custodial sentence.
“It is an alternative to custody – it is what it says on the tin.
“I hope that you grasp this opportunity with open hands, learn from it and become a better person.”
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