Elgin ecstasy dealer’s life went ‘out of control’ after dad’s child rape case

A drug dealer who was handing out ecstasy to clubbers in an Elgin nightspot says his life went off the rails after his father was charged with raping three children.

Joshua Dunn, 31, was dishing out the Class A drug to revellers at Joanna’s in Elgin on September 22 2019 but was spotted by eagle-eyed bouncers.

Dunn’s lawyer said his client had let his life go “out of control” in part because, at the time of the offence, his dad Gary was being prosecuted for raping three children.

Fiscal depute Shamielah Ghafar told Elgin Sheriff Court that security staff at the City Arms Close nightspot suspected Dunn of dealing the drugs and flagged his description to police.

Had pills worth £410

“At around 2.30am officers were on foot patrol in Elgin when they were informed by door staff at Joanna’s nightclub that a man matching the accused’s description had been offering out pills.

“He had a camouflaged backpack and inside they found a small clear zip-lock bag containing 37 white pills.

“Four more white pills were in his front right trouser pocket.”

Dunn was cautioned and charged and the pills later tested positive for ecstasy.

They had a value of around £410.

Dunn admitted being concerned in the supply of a Class A drug.

Can’t remember if he sold any

His defence agent Stephen Carty said Dunn had been drinking when he went out that evening.

“He had been offered the opportunity to purchase that substance. He did and took himself in his extremely inebriated state out and began offering it to others to purchase.

“He can’t recall if anybody did obtain some from him.

“He was found with £20 on him and he indicates he may have obtained that by passing it on.”

‘He was out of control’

Mr Carty added that Dunn was no stranger to the court but this type of offending was something he had not come across before with his client.

He said Dunn’s relationship was breaking down at the time and his father’s case was going through the High Court process after his guilty pleas to various sex offences.

“He accepts he was out of control for a period of time,” the solicitor added. “Background reports show he now abstains from alcohol and drugs.

“He is aware this is a serious offence and that his record done him no favours.”

Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood said it was with “some hesitation” that he was sparing him a jail sentence.

Dunn, of Provost Christie Drive, Rothes, was handed 220 hours of unpaid work instead.

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