By By Tristan Stewart-Robertson
A WOMAN who nearly lost her hand to a violent ex-squaddie with a machete, and then became a heroin dealer, has been jailed for nearly two years.

Lorraine Douglas suffered horrific injuries as a result of the assault by Neil Bower in October 2015.

But two years later, she was arrested with her partner, Paige Ruddy, and charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin.

Both pleaded guilty last month before being sentenced at Dumbarton Sheriff Court on Friday.

The pair, who locked themselves in a bathroom after police burst through their door in O’Hare, Bonhill, to carry out the drugs raid, were found with almost £3,000 of diamorphine.

They pleaded guilty last month to being concerned in the supply of drugs between October 8 and November 8 last year.

At sentencing hearing at Dumbarton Sheriff Court, Ruddy’s defence solicitor said his client’s partner had been “afraid to go out” after the violent attack by Bower. pointed to her partner’s anxiety and was “afraid to go out” after the assault.He insisted there was “no profit made” from the pair’s dealing in drugs, which were distributed to pals. He said the money they made was used to “cook more”.

The solicitor said: “She has struggled throughout her adulthood, becoming addicted to certain drugs. She has found herself trapped by her addiction.”

He also suggested she might be suitable for a drug treatment and testing order (DTTO), but Sheriff William Gallacher swiftly rejected that, asking: “What credence can I give those pious declarations?”

Jonathan Paul, representing Douglas, said she has been reflecting on her life since she was locked up. He said: “She comes from a nice, respectable family. She is the black sheep. She is determined to get off drugs, either now or when she is released.”

He added that she was no “Pablo Escobar” dealer and told the court the assault by Neil Bower had a knock-on effect on her addiction.

She previously completed a DTTO in 2015 but didn’t stay off drugs, which she started using at the age of 14.

Sheriff Gallacher told the couple their actions were assisting the harm done by drugs to the community.

He said: “You have dreadful criminal records. I’m not satisfied either of you have the foundation or determination to complete [a DTTO]. “I think the harm caused by abuse of drugs suggests it’s appropriate you’re subject to supervision.”

Ruddy and Douglas, listed in court papers as inmates at Greenock prison, were each jailed for 23 months, backdated to November 9. They will be supervised for nine months after their release.

Neil Bower claimed he suffered from PTSD after leaving Douglas with a 15cm-long gaping wound, 4cm deep into her wrist.

He hacked through two major arteries, tendons and nerves.

He was jailed in 2016 for four years and 10 months, and will be on licence for three years after his release from prison.