Visitor had drugs in Addiewell Prison

Apr 1 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A WOMAN who was caught in possession of a class C drug in a prison narrowly avoided becoming an inmate herself.

Sandra Logan came to the attention of prison security staff on July 24 last year when she began acting suspiciously on a visit to see an inmate at Addiewell Prison.

The 31-year-old was taken to the search area and found to be in possession of three tablets. They were sent for analysis and they were found to contain diazepam, which have a street value of £4.

Last week at Livingston Sheriff Court, Logan, of Coulter Road, Biggar pled guilty to bringing the controlled drug into a prison.

Her solicitor, Andy Aitken, told the court the single mother of two was not taking the drugs into the prison for a prisoner there.

“These were diazepam, both prescribed and illicit, that she had with her for her own personal use,” Mr Aitken added. “She had no intention of giving them to anyone in the prison when she was visiting her friend there. There was no element of supply at all in this charge. She is more a person in need of help than punishment and I take the view there would be merit in a probation order for this matter.”

Placing Logan on probation for one year Sheriff Grahame Fleming said: “I have said many times in this court that anyone who takes drugs into a prison for supplying to a prisoner should expect a custodial sentence.

“However, it has been made clear to me by your solicitor and it has been accepted by the Crown that this was not your intention and you simply had the drugs with you in a prison.

“I think there is lot to be said for the submission by Mr Aitken that the court should help you therefore I propose to place you on probation.”