AN ALLOA man has been jailed for more than five and half years after pleading guilty to dealing heroin.

Scott Cairns (30), of Greenfield Street, admitted the offence after his home was raided by police last year.

Acting on an anonyous tip off, officers arrived on his doorstep on 11 December armed with a search warrant.

They found two bags containing about 17 grams of heroin in a bedside table drawer along with cash in a box, scales, a mobile phone and plastic bags.

The overall street value was estimated to be around £1600.

During a later interview, Cairns admitted he owned the heroin that was found and that he supplied it to others.

Advocate depute Richard Goddard said officers examined his mobile phone and found more incriminating evidence.

Mr Goddard said: “These text messages were indicative of the accused being concerned in the supplying of drugs over this period, both as a supplier to users and also suggested that another individual was selling drugs on behalf of the accused.” He added that the additional £1405 in cash which was recovered during the raid was ‘the proceeds of drug dealing’.

Unemployed Cairns admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug between November 30 and December 11 last year.

His defence agent Dales Hughes said the former car mechanic began to dabble in drugs in about 2006.

He said a number of family tragedies had also occurred and Cairns had later gone on to develop ‘a fairly serious heroin habit’ and that he sold the drug to a small group of friends to fund it.

However, Mr Hughes stressed that following his detention by police Cairns had fully confessed to officers.

In sentencing, Lade Wise said: “Being concerned in the supply of diamorphine at any level contributes significantly to the misery and suffering of those addicted to controlled drugs.” Lady Wise also noted Cairns’ extensive record of previous convictions, including three counts of being in the supply of drugs.

As a result, he was given a total sentence of five years and seven months' in prison.

After sentencing, Police Scotland Detective Inspector Johnny Dreczkowski said: “We welcome the sentencing of Cairns as an example to others of the consequences of supplying drugs.

“As a result of enquiries a quantity of diamorphine, destined for our streets, was seized and this shows the dedication of Police Scotland to keeping people safe.

“Police Scotland takes allegations relating to the supply of drugs very seriously and will pursue all lines of enquiry to ensure offenders are brought before the courts.”