Customers and staff at a Dundee restaurant were alarmed when a drugged-up man fell unconscious on the floor while in charge of a young child.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard staff at McDonald’s took charge of the “distraught” child and called police to the busy Reform Street restaurant on Sunday afternoon.
Ryan Ogilvie, 25, of Balunie Drive, and a woman appeared to be heavily under the influence of drugs, depute fiscal Nicola Gillespie said.
Ogilvie had a blue residue on his mouth and the child was distraught, she added.
Ms Gillespie told the court that police attended and when Ogilvie came to his speech was slurred, his eyes were “pinpricked” and he was incoherent, officers said.
They took Ogilvie to Bell Street HQ and the child was taken to a relative.
Despite the attentions of a nurse and police staff, Ogilvie only responded to loud noises and was unable to be cautioned until 10pm that night, Ms Gillespie said.
“The accused never asked about the health or welfare of the child during that time,” she added.
Ogilvie admitted that on April 21 at Reform Street, having responsibility in relation to a child, he caused to be exposed in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health and he became heavily under the influence of a substance whereby he became unconscious and his ability to stand and to speak and to communicate in any other way was severely impaired, while on bail.
Ms Gillespie said: “McDonald’s staff said it was a very busy time and they were very concerned about the child’s safety. When the accused was placed in the police vehicle he began to fall asleep and officers weren’t able to understand him and his behaviour was described as ‘bizarre’.
“He was seen by a nurse but he was unable to tell her what he was under the influence of. She saw fresh needle marks on his arm and he was placed in a cell, under observation. Eventually at 10pm that night he was able to be cautioned and charged, and he made no reply.”
Solicitor Ross Donnelly said Ogilvie accepted entirely that “some substance” had led to his behaviour but was unable to say what it was.
“He was perhaps fortunate that it took place in a busy restaurant where other people could give assistance to the child. He says the needle marks on his arm are in fact old wounds from his previous heroin addiction,” Mr Donnelly said.
“He is very remorseful and accepts he placed the child in a state of risk.”
Mr Donnelly also told the court that Ogilvie had been diagnosed with epilepsy four months ago but said he was not claiming to have had an epileptic fit.
Sheriff Richard Davidson said: “He is lucky to be on a summary complaint.”
He told Ogilvie: “You put this child at risk. Anything could have happened and I want children’s services to investigate how you came to be allowed to be in charge of this child.”
The sheriff added: “As Mr Donnelly so rightly said, it was lucky that it was a busy restaurant and the staff there are to be congratulated for their actions.
“I will call for a report from children’s services because I want to know that this child is safe.”
He remanded Ogilvie in custody and deferred sentence until May 16 for reports.