Failed drug smuggling bid at jail

A woman has admitted staging a failed bid to smuggle drugs into Perth Prison by concealing a package of illicit tablets inside a bag of crisps.

Dihydrocodeine and diazepam were “hidden” in a balloon which Michelle Townsley planned to pass to boyfriend Mark Wishart via a kiss.

Perth Sheriff Court heard Townsley and Wishart had swiftly drawn suspicion. Security staff in the visiting area watched as the pair sat opposite each other while Townsley ate from the bag of crisps.

Wishart could be heard to say of the package of drugs: “Just put it in your mouth.”

Depute fiscal Claire Kennedy told the court: “A prison officer moved in and grabbed her hand, believing that she was reaching for something within the bag.”

The court was told that while it was difficult to assess the exact amount of the drugs involved, the 36-year-old could have put her liberty at risk for the equivalent of just five whole tablets. Her solicitor said: “Ms Townsley was repeatedly asked by her partner to take these drugs into prison. She repeatedly refused but was eventually persuaded to do so.”

Townsley, of St Kilda Court, Kirkcaldy, admitted attempting to supply Wishart with dihydrocodeine and diazepam in a visiting room at Perth Prison on March 2 last year.

Sheriff Gillian Wade placed her on a community payback order, requiring her to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.