Police officers visiting a Hawick flat on another matter found £360 worth of heroin lying around.
It resulted in neighbours Raymond Malcolm and Cecilia Black being charged with drugs offences.
Forty-seven-year-old Malcolm admitted possession of £180 of the class A drug, while Black, 41, who lives next door in Backdamgate, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of diamorphine.
Prosecuting at Jedburgh Sheriff Court last Friday, Claire Bottomley said police called at the flat on October 26 to get a statement from Malcolm about another case.
She added: “As they walked towards the bedroom, officers could clearly see the material referred to in the charges.”
Defence lawyer Ed Hulme stressed Malcolm was on a simple possession charge.
He explained: “He invited the officers into the flat, but unfortunately the items were left on display. He has previous convictions, but nothing since 2005. His heroin use had spiralled out of control after his wife’s death.”
Black’s lawyer, Kenneth Woodburn, said she had 18 bags of heroin on that day only, but made no financial gain on the drugs. But he accepted she had been involved in drugs since she was 16.
Sheriff Kevin Drummond told Black she was clearly involved in the drug-dealing scene and it was not restricted to one day. He imposed a 12-month community payback order with the condition she carries out 216 hours of unpaid work.
The sheriff also expressed dismay at jobless Malcolm’s excuse that he had paid for his drugs from the remainder of a benefits grant he had received to buy a washing machine.
Sheriff Drummond imposed a fine of £540, to be paid at £10 a fortnight, adding: “This will also be coming out of the public purse.”