A Merseyside man’s been jailed by a UK court after trying to smuggle almost 20 kilos of cannabis into the Isle of Man.

Robert Allen, 36, of Chevin Road in Liverpool, tried to board a ferry at Heysham port shortly before 11pm on July 27.

Preston Crown Court heard Allen was in debt to drug dealers and had been told to bring a car to the Island to repay what he owed.

Allen was spotted by guards at the ferry terminal in Lancashire and his car was searched by police.

Officers at Heysham found a holdall in the boot, containing 76 nine-ounce bars of cannabis resin.

Allen admitted possessing class B drugs with intent to supply.

Paul Humphries, defending, said Allen had run up debts to drug dealers, had received threats to his family and been ordered to carry out stabbing and arson attacks.

Judge Simon Newell jailed Allen for 15 months.