A CLYDEBANK man who avoided jail for an armed robbery committed when he was just 17 has again been spared a prison sentence – this time after a series of drug offences.

Ciaran Bainbridge carried out the attack on a newsagent’s shop in the town in 2012 in disguise and while armed with an imitation firearm.

Bainbridge was put under social work supervision for two years for the robbery, and told to do unpaid work as a punishment, by a judge at the High Court in Edinburgh in 2013.

But six and a half years on, he was caught with quantities of cannabis and cocaine at his flat in Drumry – as well as with a can of pepper spray.

Bainbridge, now aged 24, appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court last Friday for sentencing on his latest offences.

He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply it to others, possession of cocaine, and possession of a weapon prohibited under the Firearms Act.

The cannabis charge covered a period between March 23 and September 13 this year, while the cocaine and pepper spray offences were committed on March 23.

All took place at his flat at Columba in Onslow Road.

Sentence had been deferred, following his guilty plea, to give social workers time to prepare a background report.

Fiscal depute Sean Maher told the court: “Following the receipt of anonymous information, police obtained a search warrant to attend the home address of the accused on September 13.

“A drug search was carried out and 20 items in all were seized.”

Mr Maher said that an earlier raid on the property, in March, had found the irritant spray, along with quantities of cannabis and cocaine, at the property.

Bainbridge’s solicitor, Scott Adair, said the cocaine had a rough value of between £100 and £200 and that the cannabis, according to Bainbridge himself, “would have been worth £500”.

Mr Adair said: “He says he was aware that the pepper spray was in the house, but was unaware how it came to be there – he became aware of it being there, and was aware what it was, but did nothing with it.

“He says he was using drugs himself and selling it to friends to be able to fund his own addiction difficulties.”

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Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Bainbridge: “You have been lucky enough not to be in prison before – particularly since you have been through the High Court.

“If you continue to commit criminal offences I think it will be almost impossible that you will not go to prison in the future.”

Bainbridge was handed a community payback order which will see him supervised by social workers for 18 months; he will also have to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

In addition he will be confined to his home his home between 7pm and 7am every night for four months.

Sheriff Hendry added: “I will be watching you, and I will be getting progress reports – and if I think you are not putting 100 per cent effort into complying, I will revoke the order and look at sending you to prison.”

Bainbridge was ordered to come back to court on January 17 for a review.