A WOMAN who tried to unlawfully gain prescription drugs has been sentenced to a year’s supervision order.

Roxsanne McGowan appeared at Alloa Sheriff Court on Thursday, August 16, after pleading guilty to a single charge on July 9.

On August 29, 2017, at The Central Pharmacy, Tullibody, the accused uttered as genuine a prescription on which the name of another bore to be signed as a signatory, with such signature being forged.

The prosecutor told the court that McGowan presented at the pharmacy and after handing over the prescription, the pharmacist phoned the appropriate doctor to confirm the order.

In the middle of the phone call, however, the 25-year-old accused left the store without the drugs. The police were then called.

Claire McCarron, representing the woman, told the court that her client had gone through a “difficult time” of late and previously used these medications and suffered withdrawal after stopping them.

According to defence lawyer, McGowan also suffered issues because an ex-partner was released from prison, although he is back behind bars for a “long period” now.

“In hindsight she accepts it is a very serious offence,” said Ms McCarron. She added that it was a “cry for help”.

Sheriff David Mackie sentenced McGowan, of The Orchard, Tullibody, to 12 months of supervision.