A Perth woman who rushed to try to hide a five-figure sum of cocaine and dirty cash from police has been locked up for almost a year.
Alison Biello pled guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice on January 27 last year.
Biello had attended at a property in South Inch Place, Perth, ahead of police arriving, with the intention of removing a quantity of money and drugs.
At Perth Sheriff Court, Sheriff William Wood explained the cocaine Biello, of Dunnock Park, had tried to hide from police was potentially valued at £11,000.
The sheriff said: “It’s a very serious matter. Only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
The 46-year-old was sentenced to 10 months behind bars and questions ahead of a further proof hearing must be answered by July 20.
Clifford the big bad dog thief
Brazen thief Clifford Hodgkins, who snatched four dogs from outside their homes in rural Perthshire, sparking a nationwide manhunt, has been jailed and banned from keeping animals. Hodgkins stole three Jack Russell terriers and a Springer Spaniel from remote properties in the Blairgowrie area.
Cannabis hobby
Angus man Blair Duffy has been banned from driving for a year after his cannabis “hobby” pushed him over the legal road limit.
Duffy, 20, was also fined £390 at Forfar Sheriff Court.
He pled guilty to having 5.2mcgs of the class B drug in his system, failing to comply with a stop sign and being in possession of the drug on August 17 last year on the A933 Arbroath to Brechin road.
The court heard patrolling police stopped Duffy’s stopped in roadworks and there was a strong smell of cannabis.
A green substance and a grinder were found in the car.
Cannabis was detected in a road side saliva sample.
If drugs are illegal, why are there legal limits for drug-driving?
Defence solicitor Angela Mclardy, said: “This has taught him a lesson and has changed his outlook on what he thought was a hobby.
“As a result of being stopped by the police he has lost his employment as a welder.
“He can pay a fine at £100 per month if there is a financial penalty.”
Duffy, of Middleton Cottage, Fettercairn, was also fined £390.
Hate crime
A transgender woman battered by a pair of Fife thugs heard them saying they would “kill her” as they did not want transgender people in their town. Ceiryn Meade and Mark Jeffrey repeatedly stamped on the woman and smashed a bottle over her head during the vicious and unprovoked attack in Dunfermline.
A bad DIY job
A Perth man who was refused a cigarette by his partner went on a household rampage, using a kitchen knife to damage wallpaper and pouring a tin of paint over a hallway floor.
Leon McLeod was placed under supervision at Perth Sheriff Court after admitting acting in a manner “likely to cause fear or alarm” and damaging property on May 2 at a property in Newhouse Road, Perth.
Fiscal depute Sarah Wilkinson said: “The accused began to threaten to smash the locus up if he did not receive a cigarette.
“He was shouting incoherently.
“The accused was asked to calm down, however he began to rampage in the kitchen.”
McLeod, 42, damaged items in the kitchen before getting a knife from the cutlery drawer, which he used to damage wallpaper in the living room.
His partner fled into the communal close and McLeod held up a can of paint, bursting it so it spilled onto the floor.
Solicitor Billy Somerville said: “At no point has the accused threatened the witness with the knife.”
Sheriff Rhona Wark placed McLeod, of Logie Crescent, under supervision for a year.
Dog killer’s rant
Convicted animal killer Bradley Simpson from Dundee screamed out in court he “wasn’t a threat to the public” before being placed back on remand for further tests. Simpson, 24, mutilated his mother’s dog Buddy shortly earlier this year and has been behind bars since admitting the crime.
Homeless shelter rampage
Dundee man Dean Moran, 41, kicked a hole in a wall at his homeless shelter, causing £400 worth of damage.
He admitted behaving in a threatening and abusive manner in February 12 2021 at the Lily Walker Centre.
Moran, of Charleston Drive, had become embroiled in an argument with fellow residents over his possessions.
Depute fiscal Calum Brown told Dundee Sheriff Court: “There was an argument about where his belongings were.
“The accused became agitated and was unhappy.
“He began shouting at the witnesses about his missing property.
“He began to kick the wall, causing it to break and leave a hole.
“Police were contacted. The total damage caused was £400.”
Defence solicitor Scott Norrie said Moran had a long record linked to heroin addiction but was living a less chaotic lifestyle now.
He said: “On the day of the incident he had foolishly taken Valium.”
Sheriff Robert More fined Moran £80, with a victim surcharge of £10, to be paid at £10 per fortnight.
Contempt hearing
A boss of prisoner transport firm GEOAmey apologised for poor service and revealed his firm had suffered a 35% drop in workforce in the last year. Gavin Redmond appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court for a contempt hearing called after a trial was delayed twice in a week due to issues getting the accused to the building.
The full caseload of the Dundee Crime and Courts Team can be found here.
