Smuggling prison officer at Addiewell jailed
A prison officer has been jailed for four and-a-half-years for smuggling drugs and mobile phones into Addiewell Prison in West Lothian.
Garry McDonald, 33, from Falkirk, was caught during a routine check by sniffer dogs when he was late for work.
At the High Court in Glasgow McDonald admitted being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis, diazepam and heroin between July and September 2011.
Judge Lord Bracadale told him he had committed a "gross breach of trust".
When questioned McDonald admitted bringing in a mobile phone for a prisoner and confirmed he had brought other items including drugs into the prison.
He claimed he had been put under pressure by a serving prisoner to bring them in, but did not explain the nature of the pressure.
During a police interview McDonald was asked if he had anything else on him and produced two drugs packages from his boxer shorts.
Lord Bracadale said but for his early guilty plea, the sentence would have been six years.
Lord Bracadale said: "Disastrously you used your position as a prison officer to bring mobile phones and drugs into this jail. The misuse of drugs in prison is a serious matter."
The court heard a search of McDonald's bedroom revealed £2,960 in cash, four mobile phones wrapped in cling film, and 59 wraps of cannabis resin.
He said he was paid a total of £3,100 for the items.
The potential street value of the drugs recovered was £23,750.
Defence QC Jim Keegan said: "While my client was in Edinburgh prison he was subjected to threats.
"He comes from a loving family. He has received support from them and will continue to do so."