Father caught with heroin given probation

Jan 13 2011 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A FATHER who was caught with heroin had bought it to help him sleep, a court heard.

William Potter was stopped by police officers outside shops in Fernbank, Ladywell, on September 17 last year after they saw the 28-year-old immediately change direction when he spotted them.

Fiscal depute Julia McLaren told Livingston Sheriff Court: “He appeared nervous and three wraps of heroin were discovered in his right sock.

“He told one officer ‘I am an idiot. I am just stupid for getting involved.’

“The accused admitted he had bought the drugs about an hour before and paid £30.”

Potter, formerly of Burnbank, Livingston, pleaded guilty to being in possession of the class A drug.

The father-of-four also admitted causing a breach of the peace at his former home address by shouting and swearing at his former partner on November 11 and then breaching his bail conditions on Christmas Day when he was caught by police in the house at that address.

Potter’s solicitor, Darryl Lovie, told the court his client had been “somewhat grateful” that he had been caught with the heroin.

“He is not a heroin addict but had been introduced to the drug a short time before by a friend,” the solicitor explained.

“It was explained to him that as he was having trouble sleeping he should try it to assist with this problem.

“Clearly, on any day, it was advice that should not have been given or accepted but nevertheless he purchased the drug and is thankful he was caught with it as he knows he could have slipped into an addiction.

“He is not a man with a history of heroin misuse. It would appear that alcohol is more of a problem for Mr Potter than drugs.”

In relation to the breach of the peace offence, Mr Lovie added: “There had been difficulties in the relationship. He had moved out but had gone there to make efforts to resolve their difficulties but unfortunately both lost their tempers and he accepts he was up close and shouting in her face.

“Whilst she shouted at him, he should have distanced himself from the situation and left, particularly when asked to. He sincerely regrets causing his children upset.”

Ordering Potter to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work and placing him on probation for 18 months Sheriff Martin Edington said: “You have not got a particularly bad schedule of previous convictions but these are three convictions in quick succession which suggests there may be serious underlying problems.

“But I am going to provide you with a chance to avoid a custodial sentence.”