A MAN who was high on cocaine while at the wheel outside a primary school has been blasted for his behaviour – and his parenting.

Darren Henderson was told that “he should know better” when he admitted to police he had a bag of cocaine in his glove box outside Arrochar Primary School.

The 39-year-old also tried to lie to police about when he had last taken the drug in a bid to avoid detection for driving under the influence – only to confess moments later.

Fiscal depute Abigail McKenna said that Henderson was stopped outside Arrochar Primary School on the A82 around 5.25pm on June 18 last year.

Police noticed that he was sweating and chewing his gum vigorously, and challenged him.

Ms McKenna said Henderson told police that he was a cocaine user and claimed he had last taken the drug a week before the incident.

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But moments later, while doing a drugs test, he admitted he had lied and that in fact he last used cocaine half an hour before he was stopped.

The bag of cocaine that Henderson had in his possession was valued at around £500.

At the hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on February 1, Sheriff Frances McCartney said: “Tell me this: a man of 39 with two young children who has £500 worth of cocaine in his car and is using cocaine throughout the day - what kind of life is that for his children?

“What sort of father is he when he wakes up the next day groggy from the ill effects of the drugs and wondering where he is going to get his next lot?

“It is a disgraceful situation from someone who should know better.”

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Defence solicitor Jonathan Paul said: “He certainly has the potential there. He recognises the massive mistakes he made, but he does intend to get his life back on track.”

The sheriff placed Henderson, of Penicuik Place, Glasgow, on a community payback order with two years of social work supervision.

He was ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work within 12 months, and was banned from holding or obtaining a licence until August 2023.

Henderson was also handed a fine £400 which he agreed to pay at a rate of £100 per month.

Sheriff McCartney told him: “I want you to leave this court room with a very clear understanding of the implications of your actions, not just for yourself but for your wife and your children.”

A community payback order review was set for August this year.

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