A MAN who tried to sneak cocaine and etizolam into Ayrshire's only prison by hiding the drugs inside chocolate eggs has been spared a stint behind bars.

Jordan Langan admitted concealing the controlled substances within Kinder Eggs which he tried to bring into HMP Kilmarnock.

The 23-year-old appeared at the town's sheriff court for sentencing having previously pleaded guilty to a total of three charges relating to the incident at Bowhouse on October 26, 2022.

He admitted two charges of trying to introduce drugs into the jail - namely cocaine and etizolam.

He also pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by uttering threats of violence and challenging members of prison staff to a fight thereafter.

Defending, Langan's solicitor asked Sheriff Colin Bissett to give the Glasgow man, of Summerhill Road, a chance following the "one-off, isolated incident".

Referring to background reports prepared for the hearing, the lawyer said: "The report is good. There is only one issue,

"A social worker comment indicates time will tell if he has learned his lesson and will avoid a repeat of the concerned matters.

"Consider that the time of this offence was two years ago and has not been repeated.

"He has made progress and taken positive steps to address his issues. He has distanced himself from the peer group he was associated with.

"He does not present how he got involved as an excuse. He recognises he was involved as far as drug misuse is concerned both in the community and prison.

"He has not been involved with drugs in prison again. That is positive as far as the circumstances are concerned.

"Consider giving him a chance. This was a one-off isolated incident albeit a serious one."

Sheriff Bissett took a dim view on matters and had a firm message for Langan.

He told the offender: “Any attempt to take drugs into HMP Kilmarnock is a serious matter.

“Sheriffs here at Kilmarnock from time to time have to deal with fatal accident enquiries due to deaths as a result of these drugs, so I take a very serious view of this.

“This is compounded by your behaviour towards those trying to detect these drugs.”

However, the sheriff opted against imposing a custodial sentence.

Instead, Langan was placed on a restriction of liberty order, meaning he must remain within his home address between 7pm and 7am each day for a period of six months.

His movements will be subject to an electronic monitoring order during this time.