‘Misery’ caused by heroin supplier lands her 32-month prison term

A woman caved into pressure from her abusive boyfriend when she agreed to play a key part in a major operation to smuggle heroin into the isles.

However Trudy Thomson, 28, of Gilbertson Road in Lerwick, is now paying the penalty for her misplaced loyalty. At Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday she was jailed for 32 months by Sheriff Philip Mann.

Sentence had been deferred on Thomson after she admitted being concerned in the supply of the class A drug between 1st May and 28th June last year. She also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to turn up in court on 21st March.

Packages of the illegal substance were sent to her mother’s house at Thistle Court in Virkie. She then headed there to pick them up for a dealer. Once the drugs were sold she helped launder the money by paying it into a bank account.  

She was caught following a controlled delivery of a package containing 28.6 grams of heroin worth around £4,000, which she collected.

In court defence agent Tommy Allan said Thomson was introduced to heroin by her partner. She was in an abusive relationship with a man who had maintained control over her.

He said she had suffered from depression at the time of the offence, and was concerned for the welfare of her daughter.

The court heard she got nothing out of the arrangement, other than heroin for her own personal use.

“There is no evidence of any wealth or money accumulated by her,” said Mr Allan.

“I’m not seeking to get away from the fact she knew what was going on. She took part in it and fully expects to be punished for it.

“She tells me she is now clean of heroin. She asked me to say how sorry she is for her involvement in these offences.”

Sheriff Mann told her: “You pled guilty to a very serious offence. You have been responsible for facilitating a substantial amount of drugs into these islands. To me that represents a significant amount of misery and a substantial reduction in the quality of life of those unfortunate enough to be gripped by drug addiction.”

He added he accepted Thomson had been “led astray” and was “influenced” and “pressurised” by her partner.

But he said he would have to impose a prison term.

“I see nothing in this case in itself which represents any kind of exceptional circumstances that enable me to deal with you today otherwise than by way of a custodial sentence.”

Her sentence was backdated to 30th March when she was taken into custody.