A MAN who was concerned in the supply of heroin at his home in Mauchline has been caged.

Robert Bryson (45) and his partner Fiona Macmillan, (46) of West Park Avenue, admitted being concerned in the supply of the controlled class A drug last July.

They appeared before Sheriff Desmond Leslie at Ayr Sheriff Court last week.

Speaking on Bryson’s behalf, defence solicitor Ian Gillies, said: “Mr Bryson is not a well man, caused by his heroin addiction.

“This is the situation he is in. He has been purchasing drugs for a long time. He got himself into difficulty with a supplier and asked for assistance.

“He was given a large quantity of drugs to hold and look after.

“He had put them in a bunker outside the back door. Mr Bryson knows this was illegal.

“There is no doubt he was using drugs. He knows this is a serious matter.

“All Mr Bryson wanted to do was make sure that we know that he is fully responsible for getting his partner into this position. He knows he is getting a sentence.”

Speaking on Macmillan’s behalf, defence solicitor, Steven Maxwell, said: “My client has already been placed on an order and has 113 hours left to complete. This is a 12 month order issued at the end of last year.”

Addressing the dock, Sheriff Leslie said: “Mr Bryson it is quite clear you have significant mental health problems and this was a significant quantity of heroin. It merits a significant sentence.”

Bryson has been jailed for 32 months and MacMillan’s sentence has been deferred.