A MAN who claimed to be too frightened to give evidence in a high value Greenock drugs case has been found guilty of contempt of court.

Stefan Bednarek — who took delivery of £36,000 worth of cannabis resin from courier Andrew McLaughlin — failed to turn up to identify his criminal associate.

Bednarek, 38, conceded that he had been fully informed about his obligation to attend court on the matter — but denied that he had simply ignored it.

He told a hearing that he 'felt apprehensive' and 'put in the firing line' about the prospect of having to point out Port man McLaughlin in court.

But asked by prosecutor John Penman whether he accepted that he'd been personally cited, knew the date and time to attend and the reason why, Bednarek replied: "Yes."

The Telegraph told in June how McLaughlin, 33, of the Port's Rona Avenue, delivered 130 bars of cannabis resin to Bednarek during a rendezvous in the town.

Both men were unaware that police had been monitoring their movements and witnessed the handover from the rear of white van to Bednarek's Mercedes car.

Bednarek was then followed by the surveillance team to Glasgow, where he was arrested, and later convicted in May last year.

McLaughlin ultimately did not stand trial at Greenock as he pleaded guilty on indictment to a charge of supplying £36,400 worth of cannabis resin.

He was sentenced to 29 months imprisonment in July.

On the contempt of court matter facing Bednarek, defence lawyer Charles Drummond said: "The Crown were able to proceed in the absence of Mr Bednarek.

"His conduct is characterised by fear of harm coming to him, as opposed to simply not being bothered to show up."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton told Bednarek: "I am satisfied that there is no good reason here.

"It is not sufficient for someone to say they are frightened and not attend.

"I am satisfied that you are in contempt of court."

The case is due to call again on for sentencing on September 5.