A NURSE was found with 14 wraps of heroin at a housing complex for the elderly – and syringes with the illegal drug were found in her vehicle.

Allison Whittam, 56, was working as a community nurse at Stafford Court in Cleator Moor, when police were required to attend on October 23, 2019.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting, told Workington Magistrates’ Court that when officers attended, Whittam was arrested for an unrelated offence.

A search was carried out and 14 wraps of brown powder were found, which Whittam informed officers were her own.

Four syringes with brown powder were found in Whittam’s vehicle. These were tested and found to be positive for heroin.

Whittam was taken to the police station and interviewed. She admitted possession of the items and said she knew it was illegal.

She told police it was for her own personal use. She stated her husband worked one week then was off the other and the large quantities were to take when her husband was off work.

Whittam told officers she had a drugs habit and was injecting it into her foot to help her sleep. She described her overdraft and credit card as being at the limit.

Claire Kirkpatrick, defending, said: “It’s a really sad case. It’s a lady at absolute breaking point. She was fully cooperative with police. She went on to make full admissions at interview.

“There has been no further use of heroin at all since her arrest.”

Ms Kirkpatrick said Whittam had received treatment at a clinic in Barrow and from Unity. She said the defendant’s mental health had “not been very good” and she had put a referral in to mental health services on her behalf.

Ms Kirkpatrick said Whittam had “worked very hard” to ensure the drug use had stopped.

She told the court: “She has an extremely supportive family who continue to be supportive of her.

“It’s clear she has accepted help effectively. There’s been no further offending at all.”

Whittam, of Mona Street, Arlecdon, Frizington, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class A drug – heroin.

Passing sentence, lead magistrate, Mr Coulson said: “The quantity and the fact you had this on you at the care home makes it more serious.

“It’s to your credit that you worked with Unity and you are not on drugs now. “A very sad, unfortunate incident. Let’s hope that’s the end of it.”

Whittam was fined £120 and must pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge. An order was made for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs.

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