A 40-year-old Sandys resident caught with heroin has avoided prison but received a heavy fine in Magistrates’ Court.

Shawn Riley, of Beacon Hill Road, was convicted after trial of possessing 2.82 grammes of the drug diamorphine on August 17, 2012.

According to defence lawyer Charles Richardson, the heroin was found inside Riley’s home.

Telling the court the drug had a street value of $4,520, prosecutor Takiyah Burgess called for an immediate custodial sentence.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo noted that Riley had a history of convictions — cannabis in 2000 and another diamorphine offence dating back to 1995.

“You were offered drug treatment court and you declined because you say you no longer use,” Mr Tokunbo added. “We will see.”

He imposed a $1,000 fine, adding 50 percent as heroin is a schedule five drug — fining Riley a total of $1,500, with two years’ probation.

Mr Tokunbo also ordered Riley to abstain from drug use, participate in outpatient treatment and submit to random drug testing.