A drug user who appeared at court with heroin hidden in his body was jailed.
Alan Finn had come prepared for prison when he turned up at Selkirk Sheriff Court in May, internally concealing heroin to take with him if locked up.
At the same court on Monday, the 32-year-old, of Tweed Court, Kelso, was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment. He admitted intentionally obstructing two police officers at Selkirk Sheriff Court on May 30, struggling with them, and throwing away a wrap of brown powder believed to be heroin. Finn also pleaded guilty to possessing heroin and attempting to take it into prison by internally concealing it.
“He was terrified of going to prison, as it’s been some four years since he was last sent there,” explained his lawyer, Rhona McLeod. “His life has revolved around trying to abstain from illicit drugs, and at this time he had another lapse into heroin abuse. He thought he would suffer withdrawal symptoms, so he took the drugs to self-medicate if he was taken to prison.”
Sheriff Kevin Drummond imposed a six-month prison term, to run consecutively with a further jail sentence imposed for earlier offences.
He explained: “This case deals with your possession of heroin during court proceedings, and the six-month sentence will run consecutively to reflect the gravity of your conduct.”
He had earlier imposed a 12-month jail term after finding Finn guilty following his denial of having heroin at Thornbank Street, Galashiels, on September 30 last year, with intent to supply.
“You were carrying 10 deals and also had £240 cash,” commented the sheriff.
The total 18-month jail term was backdated to May 30.