Inmate trashed cell after drug find
A Perth Prison inmate, caught with drugs, lost the plot and trashed his cell when he was told he wasn’t getting his methadone prescription that day.
Thirty-six-year-old Ian Pollard caused more than £700 worth of damage after officers discovered 1.8 grammes of cannabis contained in a Kinder egg concealed in the waistband of his trousers.
Depute fiscal Tina Dickie told Perth Sheriff Court that he had been searched about 2pm after he was seen to be“unsteady on his feet.”
Pollard was then escorted back to his cell, which was undamaged at that point.
But prison staff were concerned he was“under the influence of another substance”and he was told he wouldn’t be getting his heroin substitute.
“This upset the accused greatly,” added the fiscal,“and about 2.30pm officers heard a smashing noise Inmate Ian Pollard lost the plot coming from the cell.”
He was placed in the jail’s segregation unit but damage totalling £714.98 had been caused.
Pollard had damaged the toilet seat, as well as paintwork and the walls of his cell.
In addition, he had smashed his television set and a TV plate and also damaged a kettle.
A solicitor for the accused said his client, who had difficulties with drug misuse, had been remanded to the Perth jail the previous day.
“He was told he wouldn’t receive his methadone and, given that information, he acted in the manner described.”
His last conviction resulted in him being given just under three years behind bars and his earliest release date was to have been February, 2019.
He had been disciplined internally and had spent 10 days in the segregation unit.
He had subsequently been transferred to Glenochil Prison.
Pollard admitted damaging his cell at Perth Prison on September 14 last year and having cannabis in his possession.
A not guilty plea was accepted to a third charge of being in possession of the Class C drug buprenorphine.
Sheriff Pino Di Emidio jailed him for a total of 80 days and ordered that it be served consecutive to his present jail time.