News / Man from Newcastle kept drugs well hid
A MAN from the north east of England who admitted concealing drugs in his foreskin after coming off the NorthLink ferry at Lerwick’s Holmsgarth terminal has been sent to jail.
John Thompson, of 63 Finsbury Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, previously admitted perverting the course of justice by giving a false name to police in Shetland and later refusing to allow an external and internal medical examination at the Gilbert Bain Hospital, in Lerwick, on 17 September.
The 30 year old appeared from custody at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday to initially deny that he had been concealing drugs in his body.
Thompson and 29-year old David Francis, of 44 Stocksfield Avenue, Fenham, Newcastle were detained by police acting on intelligence.
Both admitted giving false names, with Thompson on bail at the time.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told court on Wednesday that Thompson – who had no connection to Shetland – had refused to eat after being taken into police custody, and “avoided bowl movements”.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said that his client had refused an external and internal medical examination because he was the victim of a sexual assault as a young teenager.
However, the painter and decorator later admitted during the court hearing that he had been hiding a small amount of drugs in his foreskin.
Sheriff Philip Mann jailed Thompson for eight months for the offence and for perverting the course of justice.
Francis – appearing alongside Thompson in the dock – was given four months in jail for perverting the course of justice, with both sentences backdated to 18 September.
Meanwhile, Lerwick man Darren Laurenson was fined £500 at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday for possessing cocaine.
The 25 year old, of 7 Mansefield, admitted having 7.5 grams of the Class A drug at Lerwick’s Mounthooly Place on 23 May.
A man who drove at 101mph on at the A970 at Fladdabister earlier this year has been fined £400.
Thirty eight year old Martin Ramsay, of Stepin, Ollaberry, admitted driving at the speed on 4 June after finding himself late for a flight from Sumburgh Airport.
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