A foodbank worker was spared jail after being caught smuggling heroin into Scotland on a motorbike.
Ian Wilson, of Southport, was stopped by police on his motorcycle with heroin worth more than £5,000 in Chryston, North Lanarkshire. A court was told the 61-year-old was "pressured" into transporting the drugs and was shown mercy by a Sheriff - a Scottish judge, reports the Daily Record.
Sheriff Petra Collins decided "with considerable hesitation" not to jail Wilson. Wilson admitted being concerned in the supply of the Class A drug in Woodhead Terrace on August 4, 2020.
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Kirsty Stewart, prosecuting, said police had a tip-off that drugs were being delivered from Merseyside to the location by a motorcyclist. She told Airdrie Sheriff Court: "They noted a blue Suzuki motorbike parked at the side of the road.
"The accused was sheltering under a tree. He was detained and three bags of brown powder were found in a pocket of his leather jacket. This was heroin with a street value of £5,470."
Two bags of a 'cutting agent' that is added to heroin were also recovered. Defence lawyer Stephen Dryden said Wilson, who has no previous convictions, has had a "significant" drug addiction.
Mr Dryden stated: "He had been working in a foodbank at a church in the Southport area. He came across someone he knew. This person prevailed on him to take what he understood to be a heroin cutting agent to Scotland.
"My client felt under pressure as he was being bothered constantly to become involved. He was in difficult financial circumstances and was offered £150 to do this trip, but had to pay for his petrol.
"He is remorseful as he knows the harm caused by drugs. He has significant health difficulties."
Sheriff Collins said she would normally impose a jail sentence in such a case, but told Wilson there were a number of reasons why she did not. She said: "With considerable hesitation, I won't do that.
"Your involvement was restricted to one day and was as a courier. You have health problems, appear as a first offender and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity."
The sheriff imposed an electronic tagging order that prevents Wilson leaving his home between 7pm and 7am each day for 10 months. She warned him: "If you breach this order you can expect a custodial sentence."
