Joseph Murray told the social work department he was fearful of threats made against his family after he failed to pay back a debt racked up by cocaine use.

The 17-year-old told officers he had done it in an attempt to get himself arrested and sent to jail, so his debt would be clear and his family would be safe.

Murray, of Dumbuck Road in the town, had been given a restriction of liberty order last September — that was after he took a car without the owner’s permission or legal authority to do so.

He was also charged for driving when not of age, driving without insurance, and failing to give breath specimens to police who thought he had been driving under the influence. After that he was put on supervision for 18 months, disqualified from driving or holding a license for 16 months, and told to remain in his family home from 7pm to 7am.

Murray, a full time apprentice with West Dunbartonshire Council, was appearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Tuesday after breaching his restriction of liberty order just nine days after it was set. He then broke those conditions for a second time, after cutting his tag off.

Defending him last week, his solicitor, Gail Campbell said his actions showed both ‘naivety and maturity’.

Ms Campbell added: “He effectively allowed it to be cut off as a self punishment for being unable to meet a drug debt. He hoped that getting himself into trouble would stop his family getting into trouble over that.

“He thought he was dealing with matters in the best way. He couldn’t pay the money and there were threats – he was genuinely fearful.” Sheriff Simon Pender asked why Ms Campbell’s client hadn’t reported the threats against him and his family. Ms Campbell said he had failed to make a bad situation better and he acknowledged that – however, she could not advise why he hadn’t reported the threats.

She added: “He’s a young man who has had a number of difficulties. He had a serious accident when he was 15 and from that time his behaviour came to the fore in terms of drink and taking drugs.

“He now accepts he was traumatised by that accident. Once he cut the tag and realised he was facing custody, everything came home to roost. At that point he was extremely open with his family.” Sheriff Pender gave lieu to Murray’s cocaine use and the fact it was the use of the class A drug he accrued his debt.

In sentencing he told Murray: “This was an order that was made as an alternative to custody. It would be open to me to send you into custody. However, given that you are willing to go to All For Youth and comply with that, I’m prepared to give you one final chance.” Murray’s initial restriction of liberty order of five months was extended by two months to seven months.