A man discovered in a vehicle transporting £14,000 worth of heroin and cocaine while a lamb contentedly ate chips in the back seat has escaped a custodial sentence. According to BBC News, John McNeil, 56, was a passenger in a Volkswagen Golf stopped by police on the M74 motorway near Glasgow on 22 April 2023. The vehicle's driver, Lindsey Sangster, and McNeil were convicted in September of possession of heroin and diamorphine with intent to supply following the discovery of the drugs and the unusual circumstances surrounding the animal in their care.
A police dog named Billy uncovered £4,640 of cocaine and £10,050 of heroin concealed beneath the front passenger seat in two separate bags. The cocaine tested at a purity level of no less than 76%. Officers formed the opinion that the quantity recovered indicated supply rather than personal consumption. The lamb, named Pablo after Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar, belonged to North Lanrigg Farm in Motherwell, owned by farmer Kirsty Mair, who had not authorised the pair to take the animal.
How did the lamb end up in the car?
McNeil and Sangster claimed they had rescued Pablo from a dangerous position in the middle of the road during a journey home to Ayrshire after travelling to Edinburgh for another passenger to purchase a vehicle. McNeil told the court that the lamb appeared dehydrated and had not been fed for several hours. He stated their intention was to return Pablo to his owner, as the animal bore identifying markings on his ears. McNeil's evidence indicated he possessed experience handling animals, having previously worked with his father, a retired agricultural contractor.
Sergeant Nick Twigg, 42, provided testimony that when he questioned Sangster about the lamb's presence, McNeil claimed she was a trainee shepherdess. When the prosecutor asked if evidence supported this claim, the sergeant responded that the lamb was eating from a bag of chips left on the back seat and there were no bottles or other shepherding equipment present. A joint minute of agreed evidence confirmed that Mair had not granted permission for the pair to take the animal.
What were the drug-related charges?
An initial search of the vehicle discovered a glass pipe in the driver's door pocket, with additional pipes seized from McNeil and the third man in the car. Both McNeil and Sangster denied knowledge of the drugs. However, Sangster was found to be under the influence of drugs while driving and pleaded guilty in separate proceedings. She received a driving disqualification lasting 18 months and was ordered to perform 100 hours of unpaid work.
A charge of resetting the lamb was withdrawn by the Crown during the trial, as there had been no reported theft at the time of the animal's removal from the road.
What sentence did McNeil receive?
On 2 November 2026, The Scottish Sun reported that Sheriff Tony Kelly sentenced McNeil to 300 hours of unpaid work and imposed electronic monitoring for six months, requiring him to remain indoors between 20:00 and 05:00. The sheriff indicated he had received advice that the risk of McNeil reoffending was low. McNeil, of Fairlie, North Ayrshire, was present for sentencing, and his defence lawyer Bronwyn Moore highlighted that he now works as a team leader at a construction company and was experiencing the height of his addiction at the time of his arrest.
Sangster, of Kilbirnie, failed to appear for McNeil's sentencing hearing. The Scottish Sun reported that the court granted a warrant for her arrest following her non-appearance.
What happened to Pablo the lamb?
Following his seizure during the police operation, Pablo was transported to a farm in Ayrshire where he remained for 48 to 72 hours before being returned to Mair. Upon his return, the farmer reported that the lamb was in fine health and had settled contentedly with his new companions among Mair's other lambs.
What happens next?
A warrant remains active for Sangster's arrest after she failed to attend McNeil's sentencing on 2 November 2026. McNeil must comply with his curfew conditions and complete his unpaid work requirement as part of his sentence.
