Drug lawyer's psychiatric history

A LAWYER who smuggled drugs into prison had a psychiatric history and was not fully responsible for her actions, it was stated yesterday.

Angela Baillie, 32, had been due to be sentenced for taking heroin and diazepam tablets to a client in Glasgow's Barlinnie jail, but her case was adjourned while she continued to receive treatment for mental problems.

Baillie, of Newton Mearns in Glasgow, admitted at an earlier hearing that she had been concerned in the supplying of the drugs, worth 1,558, in October last year.

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Yesterday, her counsel, Paul McBride, QC, told the judge, Lord Kinclaven, that since the previous hearing, Baillie had been receiving psychiatric treatment at a clinic in England. A consultant had reported that Baillie was unfit to attend court.

Mr McBride said the accused had a history of psychiatric difficulties, and she had been diagnosed as suffering from a bipolar disorder. "She is in receipt of medication [at the clinic], which they have found in recent times needed to be changed," he said.

Mr McBride added that his understanding from the consultant was that Baillie met the legal test for diminished responsibility at the time of the offence and, apparently, that had been the position "for some significant period of time".

A second psychiatrist, from Glasgow, who had treated Baillie in the past, supported the views of his colleague from England.

Mr McBride said it had been estimated that background reports would be prepared and Baillie would be fit to attend court in two to four weeks' time.

Lord Kinclaven agreed to adjourn the case to next month.

Baillie had been caught after a tip-off that drugs were being smuggled into the jail.

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