'Archangel' in court after drugs search

A defendant has been hailed as being an “archangel” by his solicitor after relieving a friend of drugs.

But fellow psychiatric hospital patient Billy Carter, 35, now of Finchale Close, near Sunderland city centre, turned from would-be hero tovillainwhenhekepttheValium tablets himself.

He was searched soon after by police called to Hopewood Park Hospital, in Ryhope, Sunderland, by worried staff on Wednesday,November 27, last year.

Carter pleaded guilty to possession of the Class C drug on appearing at South TynesideMagistrates’Court.

Prosecutor Jonathan Hanratty said: “He was searched at the hospital. He wasforthcomingwheninterviewed.”

Jason Smith, defending, described Carter as “an archangel” for trying to help his friend.

He added: “He was sectioned at the time in Hopewood Park for psychosis and other problems he suffered from.

“His friend was found slumpedoverachairwhenhe took these drugs from him. “He’s taken them so that his friend couldn’t take any more. He was not well at the time.”

Carterwasdealt with by the same court in February on another matter, for which he was made subject to a community order.

Magistrates were told he owed the court £1,065, including£170inunpaidMetro rail fares, in costs and other charges from previous offending.

For his latest offence, he was given a six-month conditionaldischargetorunalongside his existing community order and must pay a £21 victim surcharge.