Glasgow care worker convicted of drug dealing struck off

A Glasgow care worker has been struck off following a conviction for drug dealing.

Andrew Johnston, a home car worker for Glasgow City Council, was convicted of being involved in the supply of diamorphine, commonly known as heroin.

He was arrested back in February 2024 after also being caught with cocaine.

Johnston was charged with possessing Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

In June, Johnston was charged with driving at excessive speed and failing to stop for police.

He was ultimately convicted of supplying a controlled drug at Glasgow Sheriff Court on March 16.

The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), investigating whether Johnston should continue in the care sector, decided to impose a removal order that struck him from the care register.

The regulator found that Johnston failed to disclose that he had been charged by Police Scotland for drugs and driving offences.

A report stated: “While no harm appears to have been caused to service users as a result of the established behaviours, supplying people with drugs can cause harm, and a failure to notify the SSSC of police charges prevented the SSSC from conducting a fully informed risk assessment at the date of the charges, which had the potential to cause risk as a result of the delay.

“There is nothing to suggest that you were acting in good faith but displaying poor judgment. The SSSC considered that the behaviour resulting in your conviction was intentional, inherently wrong, and harmful.

The SSSC made clear that Johnston had not shown any insight or regret for his actions, which raised “significant public protection concerns”.

The regulator considered that any other punishment other than a removal order would not be fitting due to the seriousness and illegality of Johnston’s actions.