CUSTOMS OFFICER CAUGHT WITH AMPHETAMINES Dieter tried to smuggle class B pills

A HAPLESS dieter nearly ended up in behind bars after he bought illegal drugs online in a bid to lose weight.

Adrian MacDonald ordered 60 tablets of Clobenzorex – a class B amphetamine – to be delivered to his home in Whitley Bay but was caught out when they were intercepted at Gatwick Airport.

Officials from Border Force Control found the illegal drugs and contacted Northumbria Police when they saw that they were destined for the 49-year-old’s address.

A court was told MacDonald, who works as an administrative officer for HM Revenue and Customs, had already been cautioned for a similar offence in January and so this time he was charged with improper importation of controlled drug of class B.

When interviewed, he told police he’d bought the pills to “suppress his appetite” and to lift his mood and that he was aware they were illegal in this country, prosecutors said.

Now, MacDonald, of Monks Avenue, Whitley Bay, has narrowly avoided going to prison after he pleaded guilty and was given a 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Addressing him at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, District Judge Bernard Begley said: “You placed yourself in an extremely serious position, aggravated by the caution you got in January this year, so there is no question you were not aware of the implications of your actions, whatever your motive may be.”

The court was told that MacDonald ordered 60 units of the drug, containing 30mg tablets, from his home computer on or around July 11 this year.

Clare Irving, prosecuting, said: “The matter comes to light when Border Force staff at Gatwick intercept a parcel bound for the defendant’s home address.”

Northumbria Police were contacted and MacDonald attended his local station as a voluntary attender, where he admitted the offence and said he’d paid £180 for the drugs, Ms Irving said.

The prosecutor added: “The defendant said he was using the drugs as a weight loss tool. He said he didn’t sell them.

“He said, after taking the capsules, he felt more confident and alert but took them for medical reasons rather than for fun.”

The court heard MacDonald, who has no previous convictions, had been under a lot of stress looking after his elderly parents at the time and was suffering from depression.

Duncan Campbell, defending, said he had been naive and would not trouble the courts again.

The solicitor added: “This man is a sad individual who has certain difficulties, which he finds difficult to cope with.

“He didn’t appreciate it was an illegal drug but he knew he was probably not doing the right thing.

“At the time, he was in a particularly low mood.”

MacDonald was also ordered to undertake 25 days of a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement. Adrian MacDonald leaves North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court