Keep me in jail so I don’t have to sleep under a bridge , pleads woman
A homeless addict begged to be jailed to spare her living under a bridge.
Leanne McDonald, 34, appeared in the dock to admit flouting mandatory drug counselling and supervision.
She revealed she missed appointments because she has been sleeping under a crossing after fleeing her abusive partner.
McDonald asked to be locked up after pleading guilty to no-showing the meetings at Paisley Sheriff Court.
Defence lawyer Bob Mitchell told how she was left on the streets after leaving a violent ex.
He said: “Unfortunately, this seems to have happened
to her often in her life.
“She is homeless and, sadly, living under a bridge.
“She did not collect her methadone. “When she isn’t taking it, she turns to drugs.
“She is receiving treatment for two ulcers on her leg.
“At this point, she feels it is better if she remains in custody.
“She is receiving some support there. “She is planning to move into her ex-partner’s mum’s home.
“She knows she has to get herself back onto methadone and away from living under a bridge and injecting.”
McDonald was ordered to attend counselling and placed under supervision for 12 months by the court.
The punishment was imposed after she was convicted of vandalising a car.
She tampered with the ignition and broke fittings and removed electrical parts from the Vauxhall Zafira in Linwood’s Muirhead Drive in June 2017.
McDonald has prior convictions for drugs and dishonesty.
She had been offered temporary accommodation by Blue Triangle in Paisley.
But she failed to turn up at meetings after lapsing back into drug abuse.
McDonald began sleeping rough and was living under a flyover.
The court heard she is receiving help to get clean behind bars and may benefit from a mandatory rehab programme.
Sheriff Lindsey Kooner revealed she would remain in prison while she is assessed for the scheme.
She said: “I note you accept being in breach of the order previously imposed. “That is the second reported breach. “I accept there are significant problems in your life and that your drug problem remains live.
“I am, with some hesitation, going to call for up-to-date reports.
“You will be remanded in custody. “Please, make no mistake, I may come to the conclusion another disposal is appropriate.
“Court social workers and those in the community can only do so much.
“You must cooperate with the process while in custody.”
McDonald, of formerly of Kintyre Avenue, Linwood, has been ordered to return to the dock on September 20.
(Adjacent to Kwik Save car park, Paisley Road West)