Derry woman 'blighted by addiction issues' jailed for series of drug offences
Paula Kelly (29) of Lawrence Hill in Derry admitted offences on January 11 and February 1 this year
A woman whose life a solicitor said 'had been blighted by addiction issues' has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court today for a series of drug offences.
Paula Kelly (29) of Lawrence Hill in Derry admitted offences on January 11 and February 1 this year.
The court heard that in January Kelly was found in Belfast city centre and appeared to be under the influence of substances.
While police were talking to her she was 'fidgeting' with her groin leading police to believe she had concealeddrugs on her person.
She was arrested and at one point 'lunged' at an officer.
Eventually police recovered Pregablin and Diazepam.
At interview Kelly said she had been in Belfast with her girlfriend who had been taken to hospital.
She said she thought if she took drugs she would also be taken to the same hospital.
She told police that she only meant to harm herself that night.
The court also heard that on February 1 Kelly was observed by police in Lawrence Hill 'unsteady on her feet'.
A quantity of drugs were found hidden in Kelly's underwear.
Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that his client had pleaded guilty from the beginning.
He said Kelly was not that long out of prison and said there was a 'lack of joined up thinking.'
The solicitor said that the defendant would go to prison, do her time and then get released with no support whatsoever.
Kelly was jailed for two months.