A well-known Dundee junior footballer who tried to smuggle cocaine into a city nightclub has been jailed for six months.
James McMulkin, who a court heard had gambling problems, was paid £50 to take a package containing 12 packets of the class A drug into Deja Vu nightclub.
But after submitting to a routine police search at the door, officers uncovered the cocaine along with cash and a drugs tick list.
The 49-year-old first-time-offender previously played for Downfield and St Joseph’s Junior football clubs.
McMulkin, of Court Street, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine in Cowgate on October 19.
George Donnelly, defending, said: “He is well-known in junior footballing circles. He was asked by someone if he would take the package into the nightclub.
“He had been gambling heavily and received £50 to do so. This has caused him considerable angst and grief and he is mortified he has this serious offence on his record.
“He was stopped by police as part of a weapons search at the door of the club.”
The package contained 12 bags of cocaine, with a total weight of 14g and a value of £600, a tick list, a mobile phone and £654 in cash.
Mr Donnelly said his client would be suitable for a non-custodial sentence, adding: “He is devastated and his family, who are all particularly law-abiding people, are at a loss at his behaviour.”
Sheriff Alastair Brown told McMulkin: “I accept that this is catastrophic for you. I understand you were led to this because of gambling difficulties.
“You will understand, however, that the position of this court with anyone appearing with being concerned in the supply of drugs is unsympathetic, short of a defence of coercion. I recognise the profound effect this will have on you, but I have no alternative but to send you to prison for six months.”