A CUMNOCK man has been spared a jail sentence for dealing cocaine as a Sheriff told him he would not make his family suffer for his activity.

Blair Donachie from Craigens Road pleaded guilty to supplying the Class A substance on March 7. He was found with it in his car after police apprehended him at his home address. He had hidden his antics from his partner and family.

The 28-year-old’s solicitor Mr John Gallagher told the court his client had been shaken by the whole ordeal and is desperate to get back to normal.

Mr Gallagher said: “He is extremely despondentthat he got involved in this, purchasing this to try and sell on.

“The drugs were foundin his car, he had hid this from his partner which led to stresses in his relationship.

This whole matter has shocked him to the core and brought him to his senses. He will never touch the substance. He has assured me that.”

Sheriff Desmond Leslie told Donachie he was lucky to avoid a prison sentence. He told him: “You can consider yourself very fortunate you’re dealing before me and not a jury. If you supply a Class A drug you would get a custodial sentence. You must have known that at the time.”

Sheriff Leslie continued to tell Donachie of how his family would pay the price for his criminal activity.

He added: “You were prepared to jeopardise their future were you not?

They would suffer, least of all for having a dad in prison. It’s only because of them I won’t send you to jail.”

Instead, Donachie will have to remain indoors between 8pm and 6am on a Restriction Of Liberty tag for six months and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.