A COWDENBEATH man escaped jail after being caught with nearly £13,000 of cannabis plants during a police search of his home.

Andrew George Duncan (31), of County Houses, Fordell, was lifted on 4th June after police carried out cold calls in the area.

Fiscal depute, Azrah Yousaf, told Dunfermline Sheriff Court that officers had been given consent to search when they entered, and found the plants in the bedroom.

Duncan was then interviewed, cautioned and charged, but made no reply.

He admitted to charges of producing cannabis at his home. Solicitor Ian Beatson said the plants had a median value of £7160, although Ms Yousaf provided a figure of £12,880.

Mr Beatson said Duncan – who has previous convictions for road traffic and vandalism offences – was employed and was getting treatment and physiotherapy. He added that the dad-of-two “seems to have had some sort of insight because he’s now stopped taking cannabis”. Sheriff Ian Abercrombie blasted Duncan, saying, “This is an enormous amount of drugs. I’ve given serious consideration to imposing a custodial sentence given the large amount of drugs in this case. You only have to enter this court to understand the terrible effect these have. You should be ashamed of yourself.” He sentenced Duncan to an 18-month supervision order, 220 hours of unpaid work to be carried out within six months, and a nine-month restriction of liberty order.

The Sheriff also warned, “I don’t care if you’re working, you can do it in the evenings, on Saturday and Sunday if required. Any breach will result in custody.”