An Irvine man who sold drugs after developing a gambling habit has been jailed.
Martin Morrison appeared before Kilmarnock Sheriff Court this week where he was told there was no alternative but to send him to prison.
The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to the supply of cocaine and amphetamine between September 2018 and March 2019.
His defence agent Mr Irvine said: “This is a very serious matter and has to be accepted by Mr Morrison.
“He does accept that. He runs a very high risk of a custodial sentence and he does understand that.”
He added that: “He is quite ashamed of himself. He knows he has let himself down.
“It appears that he became addicted to gambling and the drug misuse seems to have spiralled from there.”
However, despite Mr Irvine trying to persuade Sheriff Alastair Watson that “there is a realistic alternative to a custodial sentence”, Morrison was sent to jail.
Sheriff Watson said: “This supply was not a brief lapse, but an activity which seems to have continued over approximately six months.
“I make some allowance for your remorse, however balancing this, in particular the commercial aspect, leaves me no alternative than to impose a custodial sentence.”
Morrison, of Sloan Avenue, was sent to prison for 18 months.
