A former soldier was jailed for 18 months today after he was caught with cocaine worth £20,000.

David Notman, of Black Loch Place, Dunfermline, claimed he was only acting as a courier to pay off a debt to dealers.

But a sheriff rejected his plea for leniency and said prison was the only appropriate sentence.

Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that £190,000 worth of the Class A drug was seized by police in Blantyre, Lanarkshire, on April 19 last year.

Notman, 33, and Stephen Gaffney, 40, of Blantyre, admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine.

Scott O'Connor, prosecuting, said police officers received intelligence that Gaffney had drugs and might be involved in a deal.

He told the court: "They went to the area about 3pm and saw a Volkswagen Golf. Notman was the driver.

"At this time Gaffney was walking towards the Golf with a supermarket carrier bag.

"He stopped and passed the bag through the open sunroof of the vehicle and the accused Notman drove away immediately.

"A decision was made to stop the vehicle for a search and Notman was detained.

"Officers recovered a block of white powder that tested positive for cocaine. It weighed 500g and had a value of approximately £20,000."

Police then got a search warrant for Gaffney's home.

Three taped blocks of cocaine, each weighing around 1kg and bearing a clown logo, were found in a suitcase behind a wardrobe in a bedroom.

Mr O'Connor said the total estimated value of the drugs was £170,000. He added that the values of blocks varied due to differing levels of purity.

Notman's lawyer said his client served in the army for six years but his mental health "deteriorated" when he left.

The solicitor explained: "He became involved in drug use and over time accumulated debt.

"He advises that he received threats and, ultimately, was given the opportunity to act as a courier on the date of this offence in order to clear off that debt.

"He saw no alternative way out.

"This is his first offence involving drugs and he has, to his credit, made significant changes to his life since then.

"He secured employment with a welding fabrication company and has managed to avoid using drugs.

"It's recognised that custody will be uppermost in the court's mind, but there are alternatives in the form of unpaid work and a restriction of liberty order. I would urge the court to impose these."

Sheriff Liam Murphy said he could jail the men only if no other sentence was deemed appropriate.

He stated: "I take everything into account but the nature and gravity of the offence, and the value of the Class A drugs, are such that only custody is appropriate."

The sheriff told Notman he would have been jailed for 27 months but for his guilty plea at an early stage.

Gaffney was jailed for two years.