Addiewell prison visitor forgot about drugs in his shoe

Aug 20 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A MAN man caught with cannabis in his shoe while visiting an inmate at Addiewell prison told cops he forgot the drug was there.

Allan Gallacher was searched in the visiting area of the newly opened prison and staff discovered £10-worth of herbal cannabis inside his sock.

The 45-year-old told officers that the class B drug was his own and he had put it there for safe keeping.

Linlithgow Sheriff Court heard Gallacher said: “I forgot I had put it there.”

The court heard that incredibly the Crown accepted the drug was personal use and Gallacher wasn’t smuggling it into the prison.

District procurator fiscal Adrian Cottam told the court: “He said he had got it a couple of days before from some boys and stated throughout his interview that he had just forgotten he had it with him.

“There was no evidence it was to go elsewhere in the prison.”

Gallacher, whose address was given as Alba Way, Larkhall, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the class B drug within the prison.

His solicitor, Mr Scullion, told the court his client had pleaded guilty at an early stage.

Mr Scullion added: “His position is that this cannabis was given to him by someone in the Larkhall area and was to be passed on to his son who unfortunately suffers from mercury poisoning. He apparently gets some therapeutic help from it.

“He put it inside his sock to make sure it was kept safe and he was scared he would lose it.

“He completely forgot it was in his possession.

“It was a stupid mistake to say the least and one which he deeply regrets.

“He is not a prolific offender. He accepts it is a serious matter and must be dealt with accordingly.

“He apologises profusely for his actions.

“It was not his intention for that cannabis to go anywhere else other than to his son.”

Ordering Gallacher to carry out 80 hours of community service, Sheriff Grahame Fleming said: “Had it been the case that you had pled guilty to transferring the cannabis to anyone in the prison then you yourself would have been an occupant of that facility.

“But given the nature of the charge I will sentence you on the face of the summary complaint.

“Nevertheless it is a serious matter so I propose to put you on a community service order as a direct alternative.”