A court has heard the tragic effects of 'zombie drug' krokodil and other Class A substances on one Gloucester woman.
Desomorphine, the street name of which is krokodil, has been branded "the world's deadliest drug" by Time Magazine.
It is 10 times stronger than heroin and can cause large amounts of flesh to rot away with just one small injection.
The skin of those addicted to the drug – which is made using paint thinner – has been likened to crocodile scales, to which its name is a reference.
It originated in Russia, but there have been very few reports of it in the UK.
A Gloucester case
Emma Davies, of Ryecroft Street in Tredworth, has used krokodil and other Class A drugs, causing her severe health problems.
Appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court yesterday, where she admitted theft, Davies’ barrister Clare Buckley told of the defendant’s issues.
She said the 41-year-old had two heart attacks last year, as well as a stroke.
After years of Class A drug abuse, the defendant has Hepatitis C and deep vein thrombosis.
She also has scarred lungs, an enlarged spleen and recently recovered from MRSA.
‘Horrific’ sores
Davies was unable to attend a court hearing last August because she had taken krokodil and was being treated for "horrific" open sores in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
Mrs Buckley had to call an ambulance for Davies when she fell ill while attending Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court last October.
And she failed to attend court last Wednesday because “a rather unpleasant blood infection caused large ulcers on her arms”, Mrs Buckley added.
The barrister told the court yesterday: “She wants to move forward with her life. She wants a script [a prescription for rehabilitation].
“She is aware if she continues the way she is going she will meet an early demise, which would be very sad.”
City centre shoplifting
Davies, who is on benefits, stole from three Eastgate Street shops on January 15 with an accomplice, Marsha Woodwart.
The pair stole trainers and a handbag, worth £52.50 in total, from Clarks.
They then moved onto the Body Shop, where they took £178 worth of products without paying.
After they went into M&S, Gloucester’s City Protection Officers saw Davies and Woodwart packing “large quantities” of clothing in their bags.
The officers detained them and recovered the M&S clothes, worth £752.50, as well as the other items.
‘Bullying’
Mrs Buckley said Woodwart had been “bullying” Davies and forcing her to hand over her benefits.
Woodwart stole the majority of the items and continued even after Davies told her to “slow down”, the barrister added.
“Miss Davies was going to swap the items for drugs and food,” she said.
“This was the first occasion she felt remorse for her actions as she was due to start a drug rehab programme the next day.”
Mrs Buckley said the defendant was living with other drug users in unsuitable accommodation at the time of the offence.
She added that Davies has since moved into a new home with “a man of good character”.
Presiding justice Peter Liver handed Davies a 12-month community order including 30 rehab days. She was ordered to pay £220.
Woodwart was put on a six-month rehab programme and given a fine at an earlier court date.
