John McNeil, 56, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by police on the M74 in Glasgow on April 22, 2023. During the stop, officers discovered bags of heroin and cocaine concealed beneath the front passenger seat, with an estimated street value of £14,000. Remarkably, a lamb named Pablo was also found in the back seat, reportedly eating from a bag of chips.
McNeil and the driver, Lindsey Sangster, claimed they had found the lamb in a "dangerous position" on the road and were taking it to its owner. However, police noted the lamb appeared to be eating chips and had no feeding bottles present. McNeil reportedly told officers Sangster was a "trainee shepherdess," a claim later disputed by the court.
Pablo belonged to North Lanrigg Farm in Motherwell, and the farm's owner had not given permission for the animal to be taken. A charge of resetting the lamb was dropped mid-trial due to no reported theft at the time. Pablo was later returned to the farm and found to be in good health.
Both McNeil and Sangster were found guilty of possession of heroin and diamorphine with intent to supply. Sangster, who was driving under the influence of drugs, pleaded guilty in separate proceedings and received a disqualification from driving and an order for unpaid work. McNeil denied any knowledge of the drugs in the car.
During sentencing, McNeil's defense stated he was "at the height of his addiction" when arrested but had since become a team leader at a construction company. The sheriff noted that the risk of McNeil re-offending was low and sentenced him to 300 hours of unpaid work and a six-month electronic tag, requiring him to remain indoors between 8 PM and 5 AM. He avoided a prison sentence.