A MAN who failed to finish his unpaid hours of work in the community blamed his 50-hours-a-week job and parenting three children.

Martin Gilroy appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week for a review of his progress on a community payback order (CPO).

The 26-year-old had previously been convicted of producing cannabis and possession of cannabis and tetra-hydrocannibinol on April 20, 2018 at his then home in Helensburgh’s Old Luss Road.

Gilroy had previously been put on a CPO and told to do 213 hours of unpaid work but had not made significant progress.

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Defence solicitor Judith Reid said her client, who has since moved from Helensburgh to Graham Avenue in Clydebank, had managed to gain employment, and was working five days a week with 10-hour shifts.

She said: “He has found himself somewhat overwhelmed by his responsibilities and at times the CPO has not been given the priority it should have been.”

Sheriff William Gallacher said Gilroy’s attitude was “an affront” to the court order.

But Ms Reid insisted her client was not someone who was simply trying to dodge the court’s instructions.

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She added: “I appreciate his best is not yet good enough.”

Sheriff Gallacher said he didn’t care about the new job but simply that he had made an order and Gilroy didn’t do it.

He said: “I have regards to your children, not you. With great hesitation, I will allow the CPO to continue.”

But he varied the number of hours Gilroy has to do up to 250 hours, and ordered him to appear again in court on January 28 for a review of his progress.

The sheriff added: “If you don’t comply, I will send you to prison for nine months.”

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