Two pensioners have been jailed after they were caught with more than £24,000 worth of cocaine.
Grandmother Helen Wright, 67, carried out the crime in order to help pay off her son’s drug debt, recruiting her friend Moira Robertson, 65, using her home in Baillieston, Glasgow to store money.
Police raided the property on June 20, 2019 and recovered £51,000 in cash from Robertson. Polythene bags and scales were also found, along with 533 grams of cocaine – worth £13,800 wholesale with a street value of £21,780.
Wright arrived outside the house during the search, and she was found with 15 polythene bags containing ‘white powder with the value of £2,800’, Glasgow Sheriff Court heard.
Both Baillieston residents were taken into custody and plead guilty to one charge: being involved in the supply cocaine.
Wright was sent to prison for 20 months, and Robertson, the first offender, was sentenced today at noon. Robertson will serve 18 months.
Helen Wright, 67, Grandmother, committed the crime to pay her son’s drug debt. She also recruited Moira Robertson (65), using her Baillieston home, Glasgow, to steal money.
Sheriff Matthew Jackson QC stated that Miss Wright committed the crime to repay someone’s debt.
‘On the day that you had committed the crime, you arrived at Miss Robertson’s home with more cocaine.
Police raided the property on June 20, 2019 and recovered £51,000 in cash from Robertson (pictured)
“It is with great regret that I can’t find any exceptional circumstances and that you’ve crossed the custody threshold.”
Robertson was addressed and the sheriff stated: “You did this crime in no way to make a buck for your so-called friend.
You stated you were unaware of the drug cost and that there was a substantial amount of money to be deposed.
“You said that you had known this would happen a week earlier and that your home was being used to store drug paraphernalia.
Stephen Bentley, who defended Wright, said to the court that she was involved in repaying a drug debt her son had accrued.
“Her most recent offence was similar and took place 12 years back.
“She is fully responsible for all her participation and her actions.”
Paul Sutherland, Robertson’s lawyer said that Robertson is very sorry about this.
“She did not receive any financial reward for her actions, however her savings were taken due to the proceeds from crime.