A GRANDMOTHER found with more than £350 of the drug speed in her fridge, told a court that she used it to treat her diabetes. Helen Louise Murphy of Pontyates appeared before magistrates in Llanelli to admit possessing 36.25 grammes of Class B drug amphetamine.
But Mrs Murphy — who has suffered from insulin- resistant diabetes for 20 years — said she had no choice after normal medication failed to treat her illness. She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Speaking after the hearing, the 53-year-old — who lives with her autistic son James — said: "My organs were breaking, my blood sugar was at a critical level. I found something that worked for me. It just happens to be illegal, that's all. "I read about it on the internet but never expected it to work. It made a miraculous difference."
The mum-of-three, who lives on Heol y Meinciau, said caring for James meant she had to be up early to help him. "I was only taking very small amounts. I would never take anything that would get me off my face," she said. "I just wanted to feel normal. It was saving my own life."
Mrs Murphy said she was now trying a new treatment made from the saliva of a poisonous lizard — but was waiting to see the effects. "If I could find something that would work just as well, I would," she said.
"It's not like I'm dealing. I'm just a normal grandmother. I've never hidden it from the police." And she said unless she could find an alternative, this conviction — and a previous £500 fine earlier this year — would not stop her taking speed. "If I have to still keep doing it, no fine is going to stop me," she said.
Prosecuting Mrs Murphy, Gerald Neave told the court: "The defendant immediately informed the officers she had drugs in the fridge." Mitigating, Aled Owen said: "She doesn't want to be in this situation. She doesn't want to be brought into line with the police coming to her house."
