Black inmate bullied into holding cocaine at Polmont YOI

Arnold Makueto (22) told officers he was holding the package for two inmates who had given it to him.

Appearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday, Makueto previously pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of the class A drug at the YOI on July 22, 2014.

The court heard Makueto was the only black prisoner in that particular wing of the YOI and, as such, was subject to a fair amount of abuse.

His defence solicitor said: “People had no idea how to make a black person feel comfortable and he had to deal with a lot of problems and abuse. The two leaders on his wing said he would have more abuse if he didn’t hold this package for them.

“He thought it was a legal high because it was pink in colour. He held onto the package and it was discovered by staff.”

Sheriff John Mundy placed Makueto, who now lives in Aberdeen with his girlfriend, on a supervised community payback order for 18 months with the condition he complete 160 hours of unpaid work within six months.

The payback order was transferred to Aberdeen.