A MAN locked up after being found lying flat out on drugs behind a bus has been given a chance by a sheriff to sort his life out.

Jamie Hill has no memory of collapsing in a heap just a few feet from the vehicle in Kilblain Street whilst in breach of a night-time bail curfew.

Instead of jailing him, Sheriff Michael Higgins has offered Hill the chance of a rehabilitation programme after being told his abuse of substances is 'escalating'.

He had been placed on a community payback order for another offence just days before the incident and had already breached his curfew once before.

But Hill has been released from remand for an assessment to be carried out as to his suitability for a drug treatment and testing order.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that there was an 'established link' between substance abuse and his offending.

Sheriff Higgins told him: "I am willing to defer sentence further for a drug treatment and testing order assessment, which is a rigorous process.

"This is to explore a possible avenue for you, so you're being put to the test in the community, and it is entirely a matter for you whether you engage or not."

Police found Hill lying behind the bus last month but couldn't caution and charge him at the time due to his level of intoxication and state he was in.

His lawyer, Ellen Macdonald, told the court: "He accepts that he has a longstanding problem with drug use.

"He has no recollection of the Kilblain Street incident."

Hill was allowed bail on condition that he now adheres fully to a 7pm to 7am curfew and he must also sign on at Greenock police office every day.

Sheriff Higgins told him: "If you don't fully engage, or offend further, you can expect the court to take this into consideration."

Sentence on Hill has been further deferred until September 2.