An Inverness mother-of-three avoided a jail sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of £12,500 worth of heroin which had been hidden in a teddy bear.
Lisa Donnachie, now of Marine Terrace, Cromarty, had been staying in temporary accommodation at an Inverness guest house when she was persuaded to hold the drugs, Inverness Sheriff Court was told yesterday.
Fiscal depute Roderick Urquhart told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that police received intelligence that there were drugs in the 35-year-old’s room which was searched on April 14 last year.
Mr Urquhart said 10.55g of diamorphine, or heroin, was found in a bag in a wardrobe and it had a maximum street value of £1,050.
Another four bags of the heroin were found a child’s teddy bear totalling 27g and valued at a maximum £10,840.
Sentence was deferred until yesterday for a background report.
Defence lawyer Willie Young told the court that at the time his client’s husband was in custody and she was struggling to cope.
“She was associating with certain individuals and her drug addiction of the past resurfaced. She was approached by a female and was asked to hold the drugs,” he said.
Mr Young added that Donnachie was then asked to hold them for longer, and she refused.
“She was threatened if she didn’t, there were others who would cause her harm. As a result she held the drugs for another two days.
“She has addressed her drug addiction difficulties but she still uses alcohol as a crutch when she gets nervous,” he said.
Sheriff Margaret Neilson noted that the drugs had been hidden in a teddy bear.
Mr Young responded: “She would never have allowed her children near that lodging accommodation.”
Ordering Donnachie to carry out the maximum 300 hours of unpaid community work as an alternative to prison, the sheriff warned her: “This is a big chance for you so I suggest you grab it with both hands.
“I would be perfectly entitled to send you to jail today given the significant value of drugs involved.
“If you do not comply to the letter with this order, you will go to jail.”
