A POLICE check of a flat after a fire in the home of a downstairs neighbour turned up cannabis plants, a court has heard.

The Christmas Eve fire in Vanguard Street in 2017 led to the discovery of two plants and 400g of cannabis.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last week how Christopher Graham, 27, was producing the drug for his own use.

Sheriff William Gallacher noted that despite just two plants, Graham still had 400g of the drugs.

Defence solicitor Scott Adair said it was a “build up by him over a period of time”.

The sheriff, however, said he was concerned Graham was “quite willingly in the throws of cannabis abuse” and made a point of insisting it was “not a harmless drug.”

He said: “The impact can be catastrophic. Having been brought in front of the court in 2011, that has not deterred you.”

Graham, now of Meldrum Street, Clydebank, was put under social worker supervision for one year and must also carry out 180 hours of unpaid work within the next six months.

Sheriff Gallacher said if Graham failed again he would revoke the order and jail him.