A CLYDEBANK drug dealer escaped a jail sentence after being snared with herbal cannabis with a street value of around £2,400.

Michael Higgins, 26, of Lappin Street, appeared for sentence at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Friday after admitting being concerned in the supply of herbal cannabis to others.

The offence happened at his home on April 26 this year.

Prosecutor Craig Wainwright told the court: “Higgins stays in a lower level cottage flat. Police acting on information obtained a drugs warrant.

“At 3.30pm on April 26 officers exercised the warrant and forced their way into the house as no one was at home.

“They carried out a systematic search of the house and a number of green herbal plants were found. They also found two sets of scales and a roll of polythene bags.

“The drugs were weighed and came to 545.8 grammes with a street value of £2,400.

“The following day Higgins handed himself in voluntarily at Clydebank police office.”

Defence lawyer David McCarron said: “It was for non-commercial supply. He has a significant record and is no stranger to custody.

“He clearly has an issue with drugs. He realises his involvement was unacceptable.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Higgins: “With some sort of hesitation I will not send you to prison.”

Higgins was put on a community payback order, which included 18 months of supervision. In addition he was ordered to carry out 225 hours of unpaid work within the next nine months.

Sheriff Hendry added: “I have reduced the number of hours of work to 225 from 300 hours, the maximum I could have enforced, because of your early guilty plea and saving court time.”

Higgins denied being in possession of amphetamines, his plea being accepted by the crown.