A MAN found in possession of a “taser device” in Duntocher has had his sentence further deferred for a drug treatment assessment to be carried out.

Steven McCloy was found with the prohibited weapon at his home in Bremner Cottages in August 2017.

The 42-year-old appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 6.

He was due to find out his fate last month, when fiscal depute Martina McGuigan showed the weapon, which was described as having “the appearance of a large key fob for a car”.

Sentencing was then deferred for a background report to be carried out.

On Wednesday, McCloy’s defence solicitor, said: “A background report has been done. I have discussed the report and options with him and obviously he would prefer not to receive a custodial sentence.”

Sheriff William Gallacher replied: “It’s a very serious matter. The offence itself is a difficult one to avoid a sentence.”

The defence solicitor explained McCloy would go down the road of a Drug Testing and Treatment Order (DTTO).

He added: “A DTTO is not a soft option.”

The sheriff said: “No not at all. It might be useful for Mr McCloy. It might just be that he needs assistance on a long-term basis.”

Sentence was further deferred until April 11 for the drug testing assessment.