A "factory worker" for a drugs gang was jailed for 40 months today after a fire at a fish and chip shop led to the recovery of  £250,000 worth of heroin and cocaine.

Stephen Tosh was using a neighbouring property to mix and package Class A drugs when the blaze broke. This led to the find of a haul of Class A drugs.

A judge at the High Court in Edinburgh told Tosh: "You have pled guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of drugs for a period of over three years."

Lord Ericht said: "Your role was as a factory worker involved in the adulteration, weighing, and packaging of drugs."

He said the 38-year-old has expressed "a sense of relief" at being caught and told him: "This is your opportunity to change and live a better life."

READ NEXT: Punter needed stitches after man attacked him in Glasgow bar

READ NEXT: Man who lives in Poland jailed in Glasgow for drunk driving

The judge told the father-of-two that he would have faced a five year jail term but for his pleas of guilty.

Tosh, formerly of Callander Road, Chapelhall, North Lanarkshire, earlier admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine between May 9 2020 and July 26 2023.

Both offences were aggravated by a connection with serious organised crime.

The fire broke out at Adriano's fish and chip shop in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, in West Dunbartonshire.

Last year and firefighters forced entry to a flat above. Police were also called to the flat and officers found bags containing wraps of drugs. Scales and mixing bowls were also discovered.

Tosh's DNA was found on items in the flat and police learnt that he regularly visited the property. The heroin recovered had a potential street value of £130,000 and the cocaine had a maximum value of £120,000.

Defence counsel Euan Dow said Tosh developed a drug problem in his 20s and became involved in low level dealing.

He said his brother-in-law was also involved with drugs but committed suicide owing money to others and Tosh became involved with the drugs factory.

Mr Dow said: "He feels a degree of relief that his involvement in this enterprise is now over. He describes feeling trapped and unable to extract himself from the situation he found himself in."

The defence counsel that the expressions of remorse Tosh made to a social worker preparing a background report on him were genuine.