Home / Crime and Justice / Man Avoids Prison After Drug Bust With Pet Lamb
Man Avoids Prison After Drug Bust With Pet Lamb
2 Nov
Summary
- £14,000 worth of drugs found in car with a lamb.
- Man received a jail sentence avoidance with community order.
- Pair claimed they were saving the lamb from a dangerous road.
John McNeil, aged 56, avoided a prison sentence after being caught in a car with £14,000 worth of drugs, while a lamb named Pablo ate chips in the back. The vehicle was stopped by police on the M74 in Glasgow on April 22, 2023. Bags of heroin and cocaine were later found by a police dog under the front passenger seat.
McNeil and Lindsey Sangster claimed they found the lamb, Pablo, in a "dangerous position" on the road and were attempting to return it to its owner. Despite this defense, they were convicted in September of possession of heroin and diamorphine with intent to supply. Pablo, who belonged to North Lanrigg Farm, was returned to its owner after being held for 48-72 hours.
McNeil, who stated he had experience with animals, denied knowledge of the drugs. Sangster, who pleaded guilty separately, was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work. Sheriff Tony Kelly sentenced McNeil to 300 hours of unpaid work and a six-month electronic tag, noting a low risk of reoffending. Sangster did not appear for sentencing and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
