A HEROIN addict who tampered with his meter to gain free electricity has been given a community payback order after pleading guilty to the offences.

Robert Gillies appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court last week after officers searched his home to look for evidence of drug activity and found that he had manipulated his meter between August 24, 2014 and August 29, 2017.

The prosecutor said that officers found a total of 4.7g of heroin, with a street value of £470, and when found Gillies immediately told them that it was the class A drug.

The court heard that the 39-year-old was also open about the tampering of the electricity box when officers quizzed him on it.

Gillies’ lawyer, Kelly Howe, said her client had not paid his electricity bill in a while, but is now paying the money he owes back from his own benefits that he claims.

She added: “[He] has had issues with drug misuse but got himself off them and went on to assist his former partner and mother of his children in her own misuse of drugs.”

Ms Howe said that Gillies is now on an opiate blocker to help with his drug issues and is working with organisations to assist with those issues as well.

Sheriff David Mackie told Gillies, of Branshill Park, Sauchie, that he would not be getting a custodial sentence despite possession of a class A warranting it.

He told the accused: “This is influenced by the measures you have taken yourself and the good work you have done.”

Gillies was sentenced to 12 months supervision with a requirement to work with drug misuse services.