A WHITECROOK drug mule who had more than £21,000 worth of heroin hidden from his mum at home has avoided a jail sentence.

Jack Macklin, 21, was arrested last September after police raided his then home in Braes Avenue.

Inside, they found multiple bags of brown powder, later confirmed as heroin, including hidden in Kinder eggs.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard last week how the total value of the drugs could be £21,650. As individual £10 deals, it could be even higher.

Fiscal depute Martina McGuigan told the court that police found Macklin at home with his mother and girlfriend.

Various items were recovered, including from a cupboard under an outdoor stairwell, with another knotted bag next to a weight bench in his bedroom. There was also a green cup with traces of brown powder and a bank card with similar traces.

Macklin made no comment when interviewed.

Judith Reid, defending, said her client “knew he shouldn’t be doing this, he knew what he was involved with”.

She said he was “under pressure” to be involved but accepted his guilt.

Macklin pleaded guilty back in April but the case was delayed because of the pandemic.

Sheriff William Gallacher, who referred to Macklin’s role as that of a “drug mule”, said: “The quantity here is enormous and the different locations trouble me.”

Ms Reid said the items were hidden “because he was living with his mother and any effort to conceal was to keep them safe”.

She said: “He was not responsible for what was coming in and going out, but he would have been aware.

“He has put himself and his family at considerable risk.

“He lost a job but he managed to obtain a new job.”

Macklin and his family left the area and he is now listed in court records as living in Alexandria.

Ms Reid added: “He is a young man with his whole life ahead of him, who is leading a law-abiding life, but made a very substantial mistake.”

Sheriff Gallacher noted that Macklin told social workers he could be targetted because of his distinct physical height, though he had no previous drug convictions.

He told Macklin: “This community is badly affected by drugs. I consider this court has an obligation in regards to that.

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“You have a work ethic and supportive family and accepted responsibility at the earliest opportunity. I think I can find a way to not impose a custodial sentence, but it’s a very close call.”

Macklin will be put on a community payback order with social work supervision for 12 months. He must also do 300 hours of unpaid work in the community in that time, the maximum punishment.

His progress will be reviewed on November 24 and the sheriff warned if he failed to comply in anyway, he would impose a significant custodial sentence.