A DUMBARTON man caught with a dealer quantity of a class B drug has been given another chance to avoid prison – despite failing to comply with a community-based punishment imposed for the crime.

Derek Hay, 37, of Ashton View, was handed a community payback order (CPO) for being concerned in the supply of amphetamine at a property in Duncombe View in Clydebank between January 30 and February 9 2016.

But a hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday, September 6, was told that Hay’s CPO had been revoked in July of this year after he admitted breaching its terms.

Defence lawyer Stephen McGuire said Hay had suffered from a range of health problems.

Most recently, the brief said, his client had broken his collarbone, which was the reason behind the order breach.

Hay had originally been accused of being concerned in the supply of three other drugs - heroin, cocaine and diazepam - but those charges were dropped by the Crown.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said he would give Hay a “final opportunity to avoid time in prison” by way of a new CPO with social work supervision and an unpaid work punishment.

The sheriff told Hay: “I’m looking at a matter that goes back to 2016.

“It shouldn’t still be in court, but the reason it is, is because you have not done what’s required of you.

“The original offence justified prison, and prison remains available.

“With a degree of hesitation, I’m going to give you, whether deserved or not, one last chance to do what you must do.

“If you don’t comply, I will not have to think very long or very hard about what to do next time.”

Hay will be supervised by social workers for 12 months.

He also must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work by next March.

His case will be reviewed back at the sheriff court on November 20 to see if he is complying with this order.