A Buckfast-fuelled killer driver has been found with more than 40 illicit pills after being moved to Castle Huntly open prison.
Darryn Ferris had only served a third of his nine and a half year sentence for killing dog walker Linda Carson when he was moved to the low security jail.
Ferris, 28, had two months added to his total sentence when he appeared at Perth Sheriff Court to admit having 42 etizolam tablets on August 8.
He claimed he was only holding the tablets for another inmate but then disputed the Crown valuation.
Depute fiscal Mairi Graham said Ferris – who was moved to Castle Huntly at the end of 2018 – had 42 tablets worth £120 behind bars.
His solicitor said: “He very candidly explains that figure is wildly inaccurate. He tells me they are 50p per tablet.
“He has been extensively drug tested while in prison and has never failed. He has only ever been in trouble for getting caught smoking in Castle Huntly.
“He is serving nine-and-a-half years in prison. He progressed through the system and had been in Castle Huntly for eight months prior to this offence.
“He agreed to hold on to these tablets for another prisoner for the weekend and the offence came to light. He has been punished within the system.
“He lost privileges for 19 days and was moved to Shotts Prison the next day. He will remain there for three to six months until his status is lowered to allow him to return to Castle Huntly.”
The court was told Ferris had a “horrific driving record” which culminated in him being jailed in 2016 over Mrs Carson’s death.
Ferris had downed Buckfast and was “utterly intoxicated” when he struck his 44-year-old victim while she was walking her dog in Motherwell.
Ferris, who abandoned the car and fled the scene, admitted causing death by driving dangerously whilst under the influence of alcohol and at excessive speeds.
