A DRUG dealer has been given a reprieve from prison – because there was a fire at his family home the night before his sentencing.

Bruce Buchanan, 46, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week after previously pleading guilty to charges of being concerned in the supply of diamorphine and cannabis between September 25 and December 25 last year.

The Crown had accepted not guilty pleas to charges of knife possession, supplying cannabis resin and possession of cocaine, amphetamines, diazepam, etizolam and zopiclone.

Buchanan’s solicitor, Michael Poggi, told the court his client contacted him in the early evening on Tuesday, December 10, to say his home had been gutted by fire while he was out.

When Buchanan returned to the home in Duntocher Road, Parkhall, he found police and the fire service there.

Mr Poggi said: “Neither his wife nor three children were harmed by the fire. Regrettably, one of the children started the fire in the bedroom.

“I told him he had to be in court today no matter how difficult the last 14 to 15 hours.”

The family stayed with relatives overnight but the solicitor said that could not be a long-term option.

So he asked the court to allow Buchanan to remain free to help his family and not compound a difficult situation.

Police Scotland and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service later confirmed they attended an incident at 7.29pm on December 10 after reports of individuals being “trapped”.

Four appliances attended and one adult was treated for smoke inhalation.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry said it would be an “uphill struggle” to dissuade him from jailing Buchanan.

Click here for all the latest news from Clydebank and the surrounding areas

Social workers also said there was a neighbourhood dispute about his drug use.

The lawyer said: “He clearly has drug dependency issues and some issues with the recognition of the seriousness of drug-related offending activity.”

Sheriff Hendry deferred sentence until January 17 and told Buchanan: “The likely outcome is you will go to prison but I’m not making my mind up yet. I’m giving you time to put your affairs in order, particularly with regards to the fire that happened.”