A plumber from Colby has been jailed for five years and nine months for heroin trafficking.

William Oliver Heginbotham, of Viking Close, was caught with the drugs at an empty property in Port Erin.

Heginbotham was also jailed in 2013 for four years for possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

Deemster Alastair Montgomerie told him while passing sentence: ’I can hardly believe that somebody who is as intelligent as yourself can repeat such a catastrophe mistake.

’Every single day for the rest of your life I want you to consider the effects on your family.

’If you do you won’t offend again. If you don’t then you are not thinking of them.’

Earlier prosecutor Rachael Braidwood told the court how a civilian called 999 after seeing a man climbing through a window at an address at Glen View Terrace in Port Erin on March 3.

When police entered the property they were met by Heginbotham coming down the stairs.

In his pockets were two packages, later confirmed to contain 108.8 grams of heroin valued at £10,880 if unadulterated.

The heroin was said to have a purity of 37% and 38.6%. The average purity of the drug in the island is 18.2%.

Heginbotham told police that the Port Erin address belonged to his father, which was later confirmed.

In the bathroom police found scales hidden behind a panel.

A search of Heginbotham’s Viking Close address at Ballakillowey found cocaine worth £200, cannabis worth £20 and cash totalling £460.

When interviewed Heginbotham told police the cash was from his work as a plumber and the cocaine was for personal use. He remained silent when asked about the heroin.

A basis of plea was entered in which Heginbotham said he was acting as a ’warehouseman’, looking after the drugs for another person who he did not name.

Heginbotham said he would have had no further involvement with the heroin and was paid in the drug as he was an addict.

Defence advocate Louise Cooil said that, after Heginbotham had been released from prison in 2014, he had set his own business.

’Despite falling into addiction he continued to work,’ said the advocate. ’This was an offence not committed through financial motivation.

’It was committed through addiction.

’He was initially using cannabis, self medicating for a back injury then resorted to heroin in the end.

’He has withdrawn from heroin without medication, effectively going "cold turkey".’

Ms Cooil went on to say that Heginbotham was working in the horticultural department at the prison and was hoping to further his education.

Heginbotham pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to supply, possession of heroin, and possession of cocaine.

Deemster Montgomerie told him: ’You are free from heroin now. On your release you will come out free of drugs. For goodness sake stay free of them.

’I urge you never to get involved in drugs again. If you do, you are still a young man, you will have a good life.’

Heginbotham said after being sentenced: ’I want to apologise for putting my family and friends through this all over again.’