Sick man could be jailed for drug use

A 63-year-old man, facing jail after turning to heroin to top up his prescribed medication for serious health issues, will be sentenced at Perth Sheriff Court on March 19.

Roy Green, of Catmoor Court, Scone, has been ordered to appear personally after he failed to turn up for his latest court hearing last week.

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis has also requested information from Perth Prison on whether they could cater for his needs if a custodial sentence was“considered appropriate.”

Lawyer Billy Somerville explained that his client is shielding at present during the coronavirus lockdown.

The court was told previously that the accused had been diagnosed with primary lung cancer and had been“in and out of hospital”for the past 12 months.

He also suffers from osteoporosis of the spine, COPD and asthma.

Green admitted being in possession of heroin at his home on January 18, 2019, with intent to supply it to his partner.

Not guilty pleas were accepted to two further charges - having the class B drug dihydrocodeine and diazepam (class C) in his possession the same day.

Police seized 16.64 grammes of the class A drug, with a maximum illicit value of £660, after obtaining a search warrant for the property.

Officers found a set of scales on the couch, along with a bag containing heroin, next to them.

The accused was then searched and a bag containing a further four wraps of the drug were discovered in his pyjama bottoms.

The accused admitted several previous convictions for drugs offences, including two for possession with intent to supply.