A policeman caught tipping off a drug-dealing friend faces a stiff sentence after his case was sent to Scotland's highest court yesterday.

William Hosie, an officer with Tayside Police, admitted passing confidential information to a drug dealer.

The 28-year-old from Dundee was caught after a raid on childhood friend Raymond Rudkin's home in May 2007.

Colleagues had become suspicious of his relationship with the suspected criminal and bugged a police car.

Hosie, nicknamed Don Beech by the dealer after a crooked policeman on TV show The Bill, was heard giving him advice and details of the police's position.

A Dundee sheriff said yesterday that he did not have sufficient powers to deal with the seriousness of the offence.

Sheriff Thomas Hughes said: "The public looks to the services of law and order to protect them. You have failed to protect the public."

He went on: "You have also betrayed your brother officers. You know what a difficult job it is they undertake on a daily basis.

"They must have 100% confidence and trust in their brother officers. You betrayed that trust."

The sheriff ruled: "I take the view that the powers of sentencing available to me would not be appropriate.

"I am going to remit your sentence to the High Court of Justiciary."

Hosie is due to be sentenced for giving confidential information to a dealer, for neglect of duty by failing to pass details to the force, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.