Drugs allegation

An islander who shared his medication with a friend in severe pain did not realised he was committing a criminal offence.

Donald John Macmillan told a trial at Stornoway Sheriff Court he freely offered dihydrocodeine tablets after picking up his prescription at a Stornoway chemist.

Giving evidence he said suffered pain after badly damaging his shoulder joint from years of working on heavy tools including pneumatic drills on construction projects like the channel tunnel.

The 62-year-old of Tong, Lewis, told his lawyer he was not aware dihydrocodeine was a controlled drug and was concerned for his pal he met in the town centre and who was “obviously in pain” with his legs.

Sheriff David Sutherland found him not guilty of illegally supplying drugs.

Islander cleared over drugs’ allegation

30 January 2017