AN Englishwoman who attempted suicide earlier this month has been jailed for 4 1/2 years for importing heroin, valued at £200,000, for a Dublin criminal now living in London.
Ann Hickson (47), separated and a mother of three, of Camden Terrace, London, pleaded guilty to importing 545 grams of heroin and just over five grams of cocaine, valued at £500, on August 24th, 1995.
Hickson's suicide attempt was made out of fear of getting a long jail term but she discharged herself from a London hospital to appear in court for sentencing, Mr Patrick Marrinan, defending, told the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
However, Hickson's co accused, Ms Lyn Parsons, the then girlfriend of the Dublin criminal, has absconded, Judge Cyril Kelly was told. A bench warrant was issued for her arrest last July.
Garda Angela Willis, of the North City Drugs Unit, told Mr Tom O'Connell, prosecuting, that a surveillance operation was in place at Dublin Airport when Hickson was stopped by Customs officers after she arrived from London.
She produced five packs of heroin and one of cocaine from her panties. She had a further pack off heroin concealed in her body. The heroin was 60 per cent pure, the court was told.
Mr Marrinan said Hickson accepted the offence was serious. She had become depressed, remained inside her home, and began drinking. Her suicide attempt was real and not an attempt to be noticed. "She made it because she saw no future for herself," he said.
Mr Marrinan submitted it was an exceptional case in which the court could show some leniency. Hickson lived in a council house in London and had brought up her family on a meagre income. She had no criminal record.
"One would generally have, some personal sympathy for the couriers used by more sinister people, but the court has to balance that with the interests of society. There has to be a custodial sentence, in these cases," Judge Kelly said.
He directed that a psychiatric report on Hickson be given immediately to the nor.