A MAN who was caught with drugs and a firearm in a secret underground hatch at his home has been jailed.

Francis Nelson, 39, was found to have herbal cannabis, cannabis resin and a stun gun in a hidden space under his floorboards, which was covered by laminate flooring and a chest of drawers.

Police discovered drugs worth a total of £4,650 and cash totalling £4,272 during the raid at his home in Busby last July 21.

Nelson pleaded guilty at Paisley Sheriff Court last month to three charges.

He admitted being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, namely herbal cannabis and cannabis resin, in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

Officers found 412g of herbal cannabis and 194g of cannabis resin during their search.

Nelson also admitted being in possession of a stun gun, without permission from the Secretary of State or Scottish ministers, in breach of the Firearms Act 1968.

His lawyer said the drugs and stun gun – which had not been charged, had a fault and had never been used – were in an “almost inaccessible” hatch at Nelson’s home .

And he described his client as a hapless pawn, saying he was a “very vulnerable individual” who was “prevailed upon” by others.

Sheriff David Pender had called for background reports ahead of sentencing.

When Nelson returned to court this week, Sheriff Pender ruled a prison term was the only appropriate sentence.

He sentenced Nelson to a total of 28 months for the offences.