A MAN who was spotted by police driving while disqualified in Drumry was carrying almost £3,500 of ecstasy tablets at the time, a court has heard.

Stephen Gilchrist, 34, was told a prison sentence was “the only option” for the crime.

Gilchrist pleaded guilty at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last week to dangerous driving, possession of ecstasy tablets, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance in Vanguard Street on Friday, January 19.

Prosecutor Kevin Doherty said: “At 1.55pm on Friday, January 19 police were on mobile patrol in Vanguard Street. It was during the time of significant snowfall.

“They saw a van moving along the street and recognised Gilchrist as a disqualified driver.

“He reversed at excessive speed, causing a pedestrian to take evasive action to avoid being struck by the van.

“He lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spin and face the opposite direction and narrowly avoiding colliding with a wall.

“He tried to escape over a hedge, but was caught and detained.

“They searched the van and found 341 ecstasy tablets with a street value of £3,410.”

Gilchrist made his first appearance in court three days after the offence, when the case was continued for further enquiries Defence lawyer Kevin Moore said: “He needs some help. He was released in November from his last sentence.

“He had borrowed money and couldn’t pay it back. This is what led him to keeping the drugs for someone and delivering them on.

“He was to courier them to a house in the Partick area of Glasgow.

“He was a man who was well known to the police.”

Sheriff Gallacher told Gilchrist: “I will defer sentence to obtain a criminal justice social work report, which I need to be able to impose a supervised release order upon you when you are released in order to protect the public.

“You know the only option open to me is a lengthy custodial sentence.”

Gilchrist, described in court papers as an inmate at Barlinnie prison, denied being in possession of cannabis, a plea which was accepted by the Crown.

Sentence was deferred until June 1 and Gilchrist was remanded in custody until then.