A Douglas man has been sentenced to community service for heroin possession.

Karl Allen Cameron, of Cronk y Berry, admitted having 0.8 grams of the class ’A’ drug and was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work.

Thirty-year-old Cameron was found in possession of the drug on June 27.

A probation report recommended community service as an appropriate sentence.

He was sentenced when he appeared before High Bailiff Jayne Hughes on Tuesday.

Defence advocate David Clegg said: ’Mr Cameron was in possession of class ’A’ drugs for personal use.

’He has spent three weeks in custody and it is my submission that he has used that time quite constructively.

’He has gone "cold turkey" and the Drug and Alcohol Team (DAT) have a counselling plan in place for his release so he does not fall back on illegal drugs as a crutch.

Crutch

’He wants to be a role model for his child. He has obtained employment if he were to be released and given a community penalty.’

Mr Clegg went on to say that Cameron would be employed doing gardening and groundwork by his mother’s partner.

’He does have a lengthy record but not a lot for this kind of offence,’ he said.

’Possession of class ’A’ is certainly an increase in severity.

’In the past he has associated with people who are class ’A’ drug addicts.

’He told police "I’m not doing well".

’But it is my submission he has taken on board everything he has to do better.

’I would suggest that working will do him the world of good.’

Probation services assessed Cameron as a low to medium risk of reoffending and harm to the public.

He was said to have self-referred to DAT.

His last drug-related conviction was in 2008 for cannabis possession.

High Bailiff Jayne Hughes told Cameron: ’Possession of heroin is a step up and something you need to address very quickly.’

He was also ordered to pay £125 prosecution costs which he will pay at a rate of £20 per week.