Woman caught dealing drugs in HMYOI Polmont

An offender who was caught dealing drugs in prison has had her liberty restricted.
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Laura Brearly, 35, pleaded guilty to supplying diamorphine, a class A substance, to another or others, at HMYOI Polmont on January 29, 2019.

Brearly, whose address was given as James Bank Hostel, 29 James Street, Dunfermline, appeared at Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday.

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Procurator fiscal depute Amy Sneddon said: “The offence took place around 12.15pm.

Laura Brearly, of Dunfermline, was caught dealing drugs in HMYOI Polmont. Picture: Michael Gillen.Laura Brearly, of Dunfermline, was caught dealing drugs in HMYOI Polmont. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Laura Brearly, of Dunfermline, was caught dealing drugs in HMYOI Polmont. Picture: Michael Gillen.

“The accused was within a visitation room at HMYOI Polmont. At the end, witnesses observed an awkward embrace between the accused and an inmate.

“A substance was found and it was found to be diamorphine with a £175 prison value and an approximate weight of 0.87 grams.”

Defence solicitor Martin Morrow said his client had been in a relationship at the time.

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Mr Morrow added: “There’s an absence in her record of significant offending.

“She seems to have taken huge steps forward under the auspices of social work.

“She’s now in a nice new house. She’s getting a dog.

“It will keep her in. She’s going to be living on her own. The house is described as beautifully kept, which you don’t often see in these reports.”

Sheriff Derek Livingston said he was aware the street value of the drugs “would be considerably less”.

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Sheriff Livingston continued: “I accept it’s an extremely positive report.

“Generally people who deal drugs in prison go to prison. I regard the report as being exceptional and don’t want to stop your progress.”

Brearly was made subject to a six-month, 9pm-6am restriction of liberty order as an alternative to custody.

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