A SENIOR prison nurse was caught bringing a banned anabolic steroid into HMP Glenochil, a court has heard.

Belinda Gallacher, who was the Nursing Team Leader at prison's health centre, run by NHS Forth Valley, was found with Methandienone in her pocket during a search.

She was entering the Clacks jail to begin a shift on March 8 last year when the discovery was made.

Appearing in the dock at Alloa Sheriff Court last Thursday, Gallacher, of Sandpiper Gardens, Dunfermline, spoke only to confirm her name.

Her solicitor, Robert Smith, confirmed that she was pleading guilty to two charges against her.

The first says that on March 8, without reasonable excuse, she brought Methandienone, a proscribed article and a controlled drug in terms of the Prisons (Scotland) Act 1989, into the jail.

The second says that on the same day, in Sandpiper Gardens, she was in possession of another steroid, Oxandrolone, a Class C controlled drug.

Mr Smith said: "I haven't discussed the detail with Miss Gallacher of her position this morning although I have full instructions.

"I wonder given the terms of the complaint whether the court would be contemplating a report in any event."

Sheriff Pino di Emedio told Gallacher that "having regard particularly" to the charge relating to the jail, he would require a background report.

He said: "I'm going to defer sentence. The clerk of court will give you a fresh date to come back in four weeks' time.

"In the meantime you will be invited and interviewed by the criminal justice social workers.

"It's important you co-operate. It's in your own best interests to do so, so that the court can have more information about you before before it decides what to do about this matter."

He ordered Gallacher, 40, to return to court on February 6.

A spokeswoman for NHS Forth Valley said: "We can confirm that an internal investigation is ongoing into the conduct of a member of staff.

"The individual has also been referred to the Nursing and Midwifery Council."