A DRUG smuggler who tried to get heroin past guards at Greenock Prison has been spared a jail term — because the maximum sentence available is just 30 days.

Stephen Miller sent a wrap of the powder through the post to the jail but the suspicious package was intercepted.

Fingerprints found on the envelope belonged to Miller, 39, who was eventually arrested nearly a year after the offence.

Prosecutor Pamela Brady told Greenock Sheriff Court: "Employees in the prison became aware within a detection block and paid particular attention to a letter addressed to an inmate.

"The letter was opened and within it was a wrap of brown powder between two pieces of paper.

"Police were informed and the substance initially tested positive for opiates and later was found to be positive for diamorphine."

The court was told that the package was seized on September 28 2016 but Miller was not arrested until July the following year.

Fiscal depute Mrs Brady said: "Fingerprints from the pages were identified as belonging to Stephen Miller.

"He was traced and made no reply when he was cautioned and charged."

Miller pleaded guilty to attempting to bring, or otherwise introduce, heroin into the prison without reasonable excuse.

His not guilty plea to a charge of attempting to get the prescription drug Ritalin into the jail was accepted by the Crown.

Miller's lawyer said that he has not committed any further offences since, adding: "The lateness of the plea is entirely down to legal advice, as I misread the fingerprint report which led me to give certain advice.

"Stephen Miller is man enough this morning to plead guilty."

The solicitor told Sheriff David Hall: "As we can see it, the offence carries a maximum sentence of 30 days, so your Lordship may consider unpaid work or another alternative to mark the seriousness of the matter."

Sheriff Hall ordered Miller, whose address was not given in court, to complete 80 hours of unpaid work within three months as an alternative to a custodial sentence.