A VALE drug dealer who tried to extort thousands of pounds from the families of two addicts who allegedly owed him money is behind bars.

At the High Court in Glasgow 35-year-old Kevin Power, from Haldane, was convicted of attempting to obtain £1,500 from the mother of one man and £1,700 from the family of another.

The offences were committed in January and March this year.

Power terrified one man’s mum by phoning her and demanding £1,500 in cash, and threatening to go to her door if it was not paid.

He also threatened members of another man’s family.

He told two victims and other family members that their homes would be damaged and they would be attacked if they did not pay up.

Judge Tom Hughes QC told Power: “The jury heard of the absolute misery caused to individuals by the supplying of drugs. Not only to them, but it causes horrendous difficulties to their families, who are having to put up with the problems of dealing with a family member who is an addict.

“Two of these families found themselves in difficulty because of threats you made to them.

“You caused them to try to find money for you.”

Judge Hughes told Power he is facing a lengthy jail sentence when he appears for sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh on October 10.

Power was also found guilty of being concerned in the supply of heroin in Bonhill between December 25, last year, and March 6.

He was also convicted of assaulting a man in O’Hare, Bonhill, on January 31 and another on February 27, in O’Hare, Bonhill.

On both occasions Power demanded money from his victims.

Power showed no emotion as he was led away from the dock.

Detective Inspector Andrew Doherty, from Clydebank CID, said afterwards: “Kevin Power is an extremely dangerous individual who carried out a campaign of violence and intimidation across West Dunbartonshire.

“This result puts an end to his behaviour and people will be far safer with him behind bars.

“We will not tolerate anyone who deals drugs and uses violence and extortion in our communities and officers will work tirelessly to target these criminals and bring them to justice.”