CELL BLOCK H

Court Told That All Cons On Prison Wing Use Heroin

EVERY single prisoner in a cell block at a Scottish jail was on
heroin, a court heard yesterday.

And drugs were so rife in Noranside prison that consignments of the
deadly cargo arrived by delivery van. Dealer Charles Anderson told
the High Court in Perth that he simply walked out to the car park of
the open prison, near Forfar, Angus, to collect a bag of heroin.

Anderson, 48, from Dundee, said he would be informed the package had
arrived and was able to go out to meet the driver.

He then walked back into the jail building carrying a package of
drugs with a prison value of around UKP2300.

Lord Mackay of Drumadoon asked: "Does the Crown accept it would be
perfectly possible for someone to drive a van into the car park, then
for someone to take delivery of a package?"

Brian McConnachie QC, prosecuting, said he accepted that was the case
because of the relaxed regime at the jail.

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The court was first told the drugs had arrived in an ice cream van.

But yesterd ay, Mr McConnachie said: "The belief is that drugs were
transported by a visitor's vehicle which was a van."

Anderson was midway through a seven-year jail term for drug dealing
when he was moved to Noranside.

He was caught with the drugs at the prison on July 7 last year.

The court heard he appeared to be unwell and shaking - and produced a
balloon from his trousers which was stuffed with heroin.

Anderson was jailed for a further three years and three months
yesterday after admitting the drug charge.

Lord Mackay said: "The offence is obviously a serious matter,
particularly as it was committed by you when you were serving a
significant sentence for drug dealing."