A female drug addict whose hidden needle pricked a woman police sergeant’s thumb during a body search has been jailed for nine months.
Officer Ashley Dewar suffered an agonising six-month wait before being given the all-clear from HIV and hepatitis, a period in which she said she felt like a leper.
The hypodermic syringe had been tucked into Dana Stewart’s pocket. Her lawyer told Forfar Sheriff Court that the 23-year-old had been so under the influence of heroin she forgot the needle was there and had been “devastated” by what she had done.
Solicitor Bob Bruce said Stewart who has 22 previous convictions had turned her life around since the offence in April 2010 but Sheriff Kevin Veal rejected a plea for her to avoid prison after vowing that the police must be given protection from such dangers.
Stewart, of Castle Street in Forfar, had earlier admitted an indictment that she failed to tell Sgt Dewar she had the needle at Viewmount on April 25 last year, causing the policewoman to prick her thumb to the endangerment of her health and with disregard for the consequences.
The accused had been detained by police at that time in connection with another matter and when asked by Sgt Dewar if she had any bladed or sharp instruments in her possession had replied no.
When the officer had put her hand into Stewart’s tight jeans, her left thumb was jabbed by the needle, which had been facing upwards without a cap on.
The court was previously told Sgt Dewar had endured a traumatic time while tests were carried out, during which she had concerns that her husband may be at risk and described herself as a leper.
Only after three separate tests stretching over six months was the sergeant given the all clear.
Mr Bruce told the court, “Her position is that there is no way she would have subjected the police officer to any health ramifications if she had remembered she had the syringe in her possession.
“She goes to great lengths to emphasise that she did not remember having it because she was so heavily under the influence of heroin,” added the agent.
“She takes full responsibility for the offence. She was devastated by her behaviour and was able to identify, without prompting, the consequences for the victim.”
Mr Bruce added, “She did not have the best set of cards dealt to her and used alcohol as a support mechanism over a considerable period of time.
“Thereafter she developed a more violent disposition and was drinking and unfortunately abusing heroin.
“She has improved her life significantly in the past year, is now in employment and has been completely off heroin for a year.
“She is on a methadone reduction programme and since the index offence has not been in any further trouble. There has been a complete U-turn in her life.”
Jailing Stewart, Sheriff Veal said it was a significant feature of the case that the accused had been specifically asked by the officer if she had anything sharp in her pockets and when she said no the search was carried out.
Photo of Dana Stewart used courtesy of photosonlocation.