Glasgow man ordered 160 hours unpaid work after drugs found in toddler's pocket at nursery

George Robertson, 37, admitted two child neglect charges after diazepam and cocaine were found in a two-year-old's jacket at a Glasgow nursery.

Drugs in toddler's jacket lead to court order for Paisley man

A 37-year-old man has been ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work after two packets of drugs were found in the pockets of a two-year-old girl he was caring for at a nursery in Glasgow's Southside, Google News UK — Crime (en) reports.

George Robertson, of Paisley, Renfrewshire, appeared at Glasgow Sheriff Court after nursery staff discovered diazepam and cocaine inside the child's jacket on 27 May 2025. A member of staff noticed the substances when reaching into the toddler's pocket to retrieve a dummy, at which point a small bag of white powder fell out.

A second packet of cocaine was also found in the jacket, prompting staff to contact police. Officers who attended the nursery later noted they could smell traces of cannabis on the child's bag.

Police subsequently searched Robertson's home, finding it clean and tidy but with little food and no electricity on the premises.

Robertson told officers he did not use diazepam and had not previously found drugs in the jacket. He suggested another individual with access to the child may have placed the drug there. His lawyer acknowledged in court that Robertson should have checked the jacket, as he was aware of that individual's drug problems.

The court also heard that a six-month-old baby in Robertson's care had been taken to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow in April 2025, after another person discovered evidence of friction burn on her body. The infant was found to have severely dirty and overly long nails, serious nappy rash with no sign of treatment, and dry skin with scabs.

Robertson admitted two charges of wilfully exposing the children in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to their health. In addition to the unpaid work requirement, he was placed under a 12-month supervision order.

Sheriff Anna Reid described the offences as "extremely serious" and said nursery staff were fortunate to have found the substances when they did. She said she was satisfied that a community disposal was an appropriate alternative to a custodial sentence.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)