Galashiels gran caught with £60,000 worth of heroin in safe is jailed
Last updated 19th Apr 2024
A 72-year-old woman caught with heroin with an estimated street value of £60,000 hidden in her home in Galashiels has been jailed for 20 months.
Valerie Henderson was alone in her flat - opposite a primary school - when police, acting on intelligence, swooped on September the 2nd, 2022.
Selkirk Sheriff Court today (Friday) heard she'd agreed to store the Class A drugs in a safe attached to a wall after her family fell into financial difficulties.
But the pensioner - who walked into the dock with the aid of a stick - claimed she was only told the day before the police raid that the package being dropped off was heroin, having previously believed it was cannabis.
Co-accused Barry Johnston, of Penman Place, Galashiels, has also been jailed for 20 months.
The 43-year-old was arrested after his DNA and fingerprints were found on the packaging.
Both pled guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug at the address in Balmoral Road.
READ MORE: Heroin dealer avoids jail after police swoop on car in Melrose
The total weight of the heroin found was 1.54kg, worth around £30,000.
But, once divided up, the court heard the drugs had an estimated street value of twice that amount.
Henderson's solicitor, Stephanie Clinkscale, said her client felt pressure to store the drugs but is remorseful for her actions.
She said the first offender - who's judged to be a low-risk of reoffending - realises the impact heroin can have on people's lives, and told her she "cries every day because of what she's done".
She added: "She has been of good behaviour for 70 years and this is a very foolish mistake."
READ MORE: Court hears Galashiels man left woman with scar on head following argument over his drinking
Johnston's solicitor, Ed Hulme, revealed his client's role was to package the heroin into smaller wraps, in exchange for the small amount left over - to feed his own habit.
But he pointed out he is now clean of illegal drugs and had already been subject to a home curfew for more than a year.
READ MORE: Man caught with 'dealer' amounts of cannabis after National Crime Agency 'surround' home in Borders
Passing sentence, Sheriff Peter Paterson said the court can't ignore the misery caused to others by the supply of drugs.
While Johnston had acted "in the face of addiction", Henderson, it was stated, had got involved "selfishly" out of financial gain.
"A message requires to be sent out that involvement in the supply of Class A drugs will not be tolerated," Sheriff Paterson said.
And, he added: "In my judgement, the court would be failing in its duty if it did not impose a custodial sentence."
A Proceeds of Crime hearing to decide the fate of cash seized in the raid has been set for Selkirk Sheriff Court on May 13th.
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