Man caught with drugs in his cell at Perth Prison fined

A man has been fined after admitting possessing drugs while in prison.

Duncan Newlands, 51, had 0.8g of diamorphine (heroin) in his cell at Perth Prison. The city’s sheriff court heard that the drug was worth three times more in prison that it was on the street.

Depute fiscal John Malpass said the amount Newlands had was worth £240 within the jail.

He said: “At 2pm prison officers were conducting a search under prison rules.

“The accused was within his cell at the time and officers told him they were conducting a search. In his trouser pocket there was a small wrap of white powder.

“This was tested and found to be diamorphine.”

Newlands’ defence agent said his client suffered painful problems with his leg and back and had not found the pain relief in prison to be sufficient.

She said this had led to him taking the powerful painkiller.

Newlands admitted being in possession of diamorphine at Perth Prison on March 28 last year during his appearance on Thursday. Sheriff Michael Fletcher fined Newlands, of Logie Crescent, Perth, £500.