Ex-police chief's Pc son jailed for dealing cocaine
The police officer son of a former Scottish Police Federation boss has been jailed for a year for drug dealing.
Craig Flowers supplied cocaine to his friends in Glasgow and Lanarkshire over a two-year period, while serving as an officer with Strathclyde Police.
He was caught after being placed under surveillance by the force's counter corruption unit.
The 33-year-old's father is Norrie Flowers, chairman of the SPF in 2002.
Sentencing the former police officer at Glasgow Sheriff Court, Sheriff Joanna Johnston said: "You have accepted your involvement in the supply of a class A drug over a lengthy period.
"Given that you were a serving police officer at the time with a duty to uphold, it is particularly concerning that the acted in such a fashion."
At an earlier hearing, Flowers, from Motherwell, admitted dealing cocaine from his home and various Glasgow city centre locations between January 2007 and September 2008.
The court heard Flowers was placed under surveillance by the counter corruption unit after it received a tip-off in July 2008.
He was later caught with bags of cocaine at Ingram Street in Glasgow.
He told the officers he had bought them to share with friends and added: "I've got a habit but it's under control, there's no problem."
Police later discovered that he was part of a group of about 20 friends who regularly used the drug.
Prosecutor Anthony Bonnar said: "The social group included individuals with professional qualifications and careers but who were in the habit of visiting dance and club venues and habitually consuming cocaine.
"The accused regularly acted as supplier to the group and all members of the group, including the accused, would consume the drugs purchased."
The court heard that Flowers, who has since resigned from the police, only took the drug when he was off-duty.
Defence advocate Mark Moir told the court his client was only concerned in "social supply" and never profited from what he was doing.
He added: "Mr Flowers has expressed huge regret over his actions. He has lost his job and his future career prospects will now undoubtedly suffer.
"But not only that, his family has also suffered, most of all his father who was an inspector and chairman of the police federation.
"The whole case has caused much embarrassment."