A SHERIFF has slammed the “misery” of drug use in Ayrshire - after fining an Irvine man caught with £2,500 worth of cannabis.

Sheriff Iona McDonald made the comment after sentencing Mark McLean, of Lochilbo Court, for being concerned in the supply of the Class B drug.

The 21-year-old roofer was snared with cannabis plants at an address in the street on September 23 last year.

After previously pleading guilty to the offence at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court, McLean returned to court for sentencing following the production of reports.

Paul Gallagher, defending, told Sheriff McDonald that McLean was found with three plants which have a wholesale value of around £1,250 - compared with the £2,500 street value.

He revealed McLean was essentially stripping the plants for someone before passing them back to him.

At this point Sheriff McDonald interrupted saying: “No doubt for gain.”

Mr Gallagher insisted McLean kept some of the cuttings and smoked it himself but accepted he was “part of the chain” of cannabis supply.

The solicitor said: “He accepts he should never have involved himself at all.

“It’s a serious matter and that’s not been lost on him and he’s extremely concerned about the disposal.”

Mr Gallagher urged Sheriff McDonald to step back from imposing a custodial sentence after revealing McLean successfully completed a community payback order in the summer of 2015.

And despite being persuaded by Mr Gallagher’s mitigation, Sheriff McDonald made her feelings known about the affect of drugs on the region she presides over.

Sheriff McDonald said: “Be in no doubt supplying drugs in this jurisdiction is dealt with very seriously.

“This jurisdiction is plagued by drugs, it develops paranoia. Even smoking one wee spliff a day causes paranoia.

“People who supply it should expect to go to jail.

“It generates crime and forces people to steal because they don’t have enough money to buy it (cannabis), they’re rattling.”

She added: “They’re (drugs) are a misery for the whole community. You seem to be relatively educated, these actions have consequences. Be in no doubt it’s an alternative to custody.”

McLean was fined £750 and ordered to carry out 260 hours of unpaid work.