A DUNTOCHER dad who nicked a mobile phone from a nursery after turning up drunk to collect his children has been handed a community payback order.

Chris Barnes, 34, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for sentencing after being accused of stealing the phone from Ferryfield Nursery in Alexandria two-and-a-half years ago.

The Redmoss Road resident appeared at the nursery on March 9, 2018 while under the influence of alcohol, according to Friday's hearing.

The fiscal depute told the court: "The accused was collecting his children at the nursery and asked to use the staff toilet.

"A mobile phone has then gone missing belonging to a staff member. Another member of staff called the phone and Mr Barnes answered. He was informed that if it was not returned police would be contacted. The phone was not recovered.

"He was intoxicated at the time."

Defence solicitor Stephen McGuire said his client had no memory of taking the phone and nursery staff were not aware that he was drunk, other than stating that Barnes was "not normally this chatty".

Mr McGuire said: "His position has always been that he did not recall the incident.

"I realise the serious nature of this offending, opportunistic or otherwise, but I would ask your lordship to dispose of this by way of a community payback order."

Sheriff William Gallacher said: "I find it hard to imagine that a nursery would release a child even to their own parent when he is so intoxicated. I am less persuaded about Mr Barnes' position.

"I am sceptical that Mr Barnes did not know what he was doing."

Barnes was handed a community payback order requiring him to carry out 135 hours of unpaid work within a period of 12 months. He will also be subject to supervision by the social work department for 12 months and will pay compensation by way of £10 every fortnight, up to the sum of £170.