A 48-YEAR-OLD man has been ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work after being found in possession of class B drugs.

Paul Richardson, who gave an address in Galashiels, pleaded guilty to the offence which happened in Hawick on December 16, 2020.

Depute fiscal Fiona Hamilton told Jedburgh Sheriff Court that police officers executed a search warrant and recovered 9.85 grammes of amphetamine with an estimated value of £40.

Defence lawyer Mat Patrick said his client had been running the premises as a garage.

He had been given the drugs by an acquaintance and had forgotten they were there.

Mr Patrick added that Richardson had never used the drug.

The Community Pay Back Order was imposed as an alternative to a fine.