A drugs courier who was caught with almost £100,000 worth of heroin by a sniffer dog named Rebus has been jailed for more than three years.

The sharp-nosed dog, named after Ian Rankin's fictional Edinburgh detective, picked up the scent on 38-year-old Sean McEllin, 38, at Aberdeen station in September 2010.

The father-of-two tried to avoid passing by the animal, but Rebus's handlers approached him after noticing him acting suspiciously. He was found to be carrying drugs worth £99,000.

On Friday, at the High Court in Glasgow, McEllin was jailed for 40 months after pleading guilty to being involved in the supply of heroin.

Prosecutor Andrew Brown QC told the court that McEllin, from Liverpool, arrived at Aberdeen station on a train from Glasgow at 6.13pm.

Mr Brown added: "He was seen to be alone and appeared extremely nervous. As the accused walked across the station concourse he was seen to pay particular attention to police dog Rebus and his handler."

"Officers present noted the accused's behaviour and considered that he was acting suspiciously and accordingly approached the accused and spoke with him.

"The accused's hands were seen to be physically shaking and he appeared agitated."

McEllin, who was in possession of two carrier bags at that time, was cautioned by police and asked if he was in possession of controlled drugs.

He replied: "Someone asked me to bring something up but I don't know what it is."

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