By Dave Lord

A MIDDLE-AGED Angus woman became so besotted with a convicted criminal that she twice tried to smuggle heroin into Perth prison—once by sewing the drug into the seam of a pair of gym shorts, a court has heard.

On another occasion, 48-year-old Denise Crone hid the class-A drug in her mouth before trying to pass it to her boyfriend during a passionate kiss.

Perth Sheriff Court yesterday heard how Crone, of Smithy Croft, Arbroath, was the victim of “tragic exploitation.”

Her solicitor said she has been shunned by her family since falling for prisoner Kenny McLaren.

Crone—described as a “responsible and productive member of society”—sobbed after Sheriff Lindsay Foulis said the crimes were so serious he had no option but to jail her for 18 months.

Depute fiscal Therese Oswald gave details of the offences.

She told the court, “On the first occasion (December 2, 2006) Miss Crone hid heroin in her mouth and intended to pass it to Mr McLaren when they kissed.

“When caught by prison officers she said she had never done it before, had not wanted to do it and had initially tried to miss the prison visit.”

She appeared in court and was granted bail but, just one month later, was again caught up in the supply of heroin.

Ms Oswald explained how, during a series of phone calls, McLaren asked for “stuff” to be brought into the jail and later told Crone he needed a pair of shorts to wear in the gym.

“All mail for inmates has to be checked and approved by officers,” the depute fiscal said.

“On about January 2 (2007) Mr McLaren sought and was granted permission for a pair of shorts to be posted to him.

“At 8.30am on January 6 a recorded delivery package arrived at the prison.

“The parcel was opened in the presence of Mr McLaren and was found to contain a pair of shorts.

“However, also found was a package containing heroin.

“It had been attached to a cord fitted inside the waistband of the shorts.”

Ms Oswald said the heroin had a prison value of somewhere between £120 and £140.

When later questioned by police Crone said “I was just part of a chain...I will be killed.”

Solicitor Paul Ralph said it could be called a “very sad tale.”

He claimed that at one point certain individuals even threatened to harm Crone’s beloved dog if she did not attempt to get heroin into Perth Prison.

“Here we have a 48-year-old lady with very little previous involvement with the law,” Mr Ralph commented.

“This man has promised her all manner of feelings and a future together but has actually exploited her in the extreme.

“He started requesting that she help him out by supplying drugs...and Miss Crone was then threatened by acquaintances who said something bad would happen, if not to her then to her dog.

“She was very frightened and even began to take her dog to work with her.”

Mr Ralph continued, “Eventually she yielded to the pressure.

“On the first occasion she tried to avoid the visit to prison and eventually turned up 20 minutes late.

“The second time she did not actually post off the shorts herself but was merely approached by certain other people because they could not sew the package together.”

Mr Ralph said Crone was aware of the seriousness of the crime and described her as being “totally alone.”

“Miss Crone has never been before the courts before,” he continued.

“She knows these are very serious matters.

“She explained to her family what had happened and has had the cold shoulder from them since.

“Miss Crone is quite literally alone in the dock.

“She has previously been of good character and has been a responsible and productive member of society.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Foulis said a custodial sentence was “inevitable.”

“The supply of class-A drugs to the prison establishment is viewed very seriously,” he told Crone.

“Accordingly the offence of December 2, 2006, is serious enough in itself.

“However, just one month later—and by that stage you knew you were in difficulties and were even on bail—you were again involved in the supply of diamorphine to someone in prison.

“I regard a custodial sentence in this case as inevitable.”

Crone sobbed as she was handcuffed and led away from the dock to start her time behind bars.