Court / Pair admit being concerned in supply of drugs

A WOMAN whose involvement in drug supply came to light after attempting to overtake in the face of an oncoming police vehicle appeared in court on Wednesday.

Louisa Newlands, of Herrislea Court, Tingwall, admitted at Lerwick Sheriff Court to being concerned in the supply of heroin on or between 1 March and 18 August last year.

The 34-year-old also admitted driving dangerously on the Tingwall Straight on 18 August.

Procurator fiscal told the court that Newlands had been driving home at around 12.45pm after collecting a package of drugs from her co-accused John Masterman.

Masterman, of Leaside, Mossbank, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine on 18 August.

Not only was visibility poor at the Tingwall Straight due to mist, but Newlands’ view was obscured within her car because the nearside airbag had inflated and mirrors were damaged in an earlier collision.

The court heard that she had pulled out to overtake a slow moving car in the face of oncoming traffic, which turned out to be a police vehicle.

The drivers managed to avoid a collision, but the police vehicle took after Newlands and stopped her.

Mackenzie said Newlands was apologetic, but her demeanour gave them the grounds to search her.

The court heard that colleagues then appeared and a drugs dog spotted a white envelope in the car, which contained four bags of heroin.

Police then searched her home, and officers found a text message on a mobile phone from Masterman, 38, which was received earlier in the day.

Mackenzie said that Masterman’s home was used as a safe delivery address for the drugs.

Defence agents for both said they would give representation at the court next hearing on 9 June.

A criminal justice social work report was ordered by sheriff Ian Cruickshank ahead of sentencing, and Newlands was disqualified from driving in the interim.