A VIETNAMESE national charged over an alleged cannabis cultivation said to have been discovered in Cumnock more than five years ago still remains in custody awaiting trial.

Phan Anh Tuan appeared at Ayr Sheriff Court earlier this month for the latest calling of his case, which dates back to the time of the alleged offence on July 16, 2019.

It is claimed that the 36-year-old produced the class B drug, whilst acting with others at Unit 2 Ayr Road, Cumnock.

The accused, whose address was listed in court papers as HMP Kilmarnock, is said to have intentionally altered the register of a meter used for measuring the quantity of electricity supply and bypassed the meter.

He faces a third charge on the indictment of later failing to appear at Court on December 7 2022, while an accused person.

Defence solicitor Robert Logan said his client pleaded not guilty to the charges and added: "Regarding charge three it can certainly be agreed he did not attend."

He added that his client was using a defence of coercion "having been the victim of human trafficking and modern slavery", but that the Home Office's opinion was that "he was not".

He was returned to custody and will face the allegations again at a later date.