A BONHILL man who was discovered with heroin in the bedroom of his home has been placed on supervision and ordered to carry out unpaid work.

Andrew Lucas's lawyer told Dumbarton Sheriff Court that his client had been "taken advantage of" by others concerned in the drugs trade.

The 50-year-old who lives at an address in O'Hare was discovered with 14g of the class A diamorphine drug at his house on July 23 last year.

Procurator fiscal depute Scott Simpson informed the court that police officers carried out a search of the property under warrant on that date and found the drug, which was given a street value of £980, but no other drug dealing paraphernalia was within the house.

Defence solicitor Tom Brown said in mitigation: "He has been taken advantage of quite frankly my lord by others. He contacted the person that had left the drugs there and told them he wanted them removed. He cooperated fully with the police.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry replied: "If he was playing a different role in the supply he would be facing prison.

Turning to Lucas, the sheriff said: "You are possibly aware when someone is in possession of heroin with intent to supply then there is normally an inevitable prison disposal. There are unusual circumstances here and I accept the narrative you gave the police can be relied upon. Nevertheless there needs to be a punishment.

Sheriff Hendry imposed a community payback order on Lucas with the conditions that he be supervised for a period of one year and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.