A DUMBARTON man who was spared jail after stealing a saw and a tool bag in the town has been warned he could yet go to prison for the crime.

Gary White, of Kyle Terrace, was handed a community payback order last year, with social work supervision and an unpaid work punishment, after admitting carrying out the theft from a property in Cardross Road on Boxing Day of 2018.

But at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday, a sheriff warned White that his patience was "just about exhausted" over the 47-year-old's poor compliance.

White's solicitor, Phil Lafferty, told Sheriff Maxwell Hendry: "He left your Lordship's court on December 12 with a warning ringing in his ears about the community payback order being done, and it would be the jail if he didn't.

"He has done what's required of him in respect of the unpaid work; it might be suggested that he has taken his eye off the ball in terms of the supervision."

The court heard that White had turned up early to some supervision appointments, late to others, and had left some appointments early, stating he had to go and look after his brother.

But Mr Lafferty revealed: "If there has been a particular problem in respect of his brother, his brother is now out of the picture, because he received a custodial sentence earlier this week.

"He says he intends to increase the rate at which the unpaid work is carried out."

READ MORE: Thief returns to crime after 14 year break

Mr Lafferty also said White was in the process of applying for a place on the Alternatives programme, West Dunbartonshire's community-based project offering alternatives to drug use.

Sheriff Hendry told White: "I'm not impressed; I've just about exhausted my patience with you.

"I've written in my notes the words 'breach if non-compliance continues'. I blame you for not getting to your supervision appointments on time, and I will blame you if I see you have not fully engaged with Alternatives." White was ordered to come back to court on March 31, when a further report on his progress with the order will be provided.

The sheriff added: "If it's an unimpressive report, you know what to expect."