A BALLINGRY drug dealer, who had over £15,000 worth of illegal substances in his home, has avoided a jail term.

Stephen Gray, 26, of Martin Crescent, previously admitted drug dealing offences and returned to Dunfermline Sheriff Court for sentencing.

He admitted that on May 13 at his home he was concerned in the supply of cocaine, a class A drug, and amphetamine, a class B drug.

Depute fiscal, Claire Bremner, said there were two packages of cocaine. One was 59 grams and had a value of up £2,360, the other was 24g and worth up to £900.

There was also 1253g of amphetamine. Depending on how it was sold on, values ranged from £4,500 to £12,530, said the depute.

The Court heard Gray had previously been jailed for a similar offence.

Defence solicitor, Alexander Flett, had argued that £4,500 was a more realistic valuation for the amphetamine.

He said: “The drugs didn’t belong to him. He owed money to other individuals.

"The drugs were left with him. He agreed to do it and shouldn’t have agreed to do it. He knows it was the wrong thing to do.

“He had been trying to stay on the straight and narrow but his debts caught up with him.

"He was left in little doubt what would happen if he didn’t clear the debt.”

Mr Flett added: “He has to accept there is a record and if a custodial sentence is inevitable it would be better for him if it was dealt with today.”

However, Sheriff Craig McSherry, called for reports and when Gray returned to Court defence solicitor Gordon Martin said: “He had a drug debt and indulged in this to pay off the debt to avoid some other action being taken.

"He was frightened he was going to be assaulted.”

Sheriff McSherry told Gray he had a “prolific record” and if he did not carry out the community payback order he could face a lengthy jail sentence.

Gray was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and was placed on a restriction of liberty order for six months.