A CONVICTED armed robber who was spared jail for drug offences has been told he “must do better” with his community-based punishment.

Ciaran Bainbridge admitted possessing pepper spray, cocaine and cannabis with intent to supply after being caught with them at his flat last year.

At his sentencing last October, the 24-year-old was warned that a community payback order (CPO) would be revoked if he did not put “100 per cent effort” into complying.

He was put under social work supervision for 18 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, and handed a four-month restriction of liberty order.

A review hearing last Friday heard that Bainbridge’s progress was far from perfect but he was allowed to remain free.

Bainbridge, of Columba, Onslow Road, was convicted of armed robbery at a Clydebank newsagent in 2012, but spared jail by a judge at the High Court in Edinburgh.

At last Friday’s hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, Bainbridge’s solicitor, Scott Adair, said his client’s progress on the CPO “can’t be regarded as perfect”.

Bainbridge has failed to attend appointments with social workers and failed to tell them in advance if he is going to miss an appointment.

Mr Adair added: “I’ve told him that he must speak to the [CPO] team in advance of any non-attendance.”

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry told Bainbridge: “Each time you miss an appointment, you miss an opportunity to do constructive work. Supervision is intended to help you – and you need help.

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“I’m concerned to see you have been encouraged to look at dealing with your cannabis use and have refused to address that.

“If that remains your position, you’re going to see this order brought to an early end.

“I’m going to get a further progress report – and I hope for your sake that it’s a better report than this one.”

Bainbridge will return to court for a further assessment review on March 26.