UK NEWS
FALLEN LAWYER FINDS GYM'LL FIX IT
The fallen lawyer has sought solace in the gym
By David Scott
A FALLEN lawyer who was released early from prison with an electronic tag has landed a job in a gym.
Angela Baillie, 33, was jailed for 32 months for smuggling drugs into Barlinnie Prison.
But the lawyer, known as "Ally McDeal" was freed on a tag after serving just 12 months at Cornton Vale, Scotland’s only women’s jail.
Now, after de-registering as a lawyer, she has landed herself a job selling memberships at the Greens Helath Club in Fiffnock, glasgow at £500 a time.
She said: "I made a mistake which I deeply regret and now I am paying the price.
"However, I am delighted to be working at Greens and really enjoy my ob. The staff are very supportive.
"The last few years have been extremely difficult and I have been fortunate to have the support and love of my family and friends."
Baillie, a divorced mother-of-one was caught with a cigarette packed stuffed with £1,600-worth of drugs to a client in an interview room in Glasgow’s tough Barlinnie jail in October, 2005.
It contained heroin and 158 diazepam tablets.
Baillie was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2006.
Earlier this year she was stripped of £5000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The Crown had wanted £52,556, but she got to keep her £200,000 home in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire.
She is confined to home between 7pm and 7am under the tagging order. She has to wear the tag round her ankle at all times.
During her time in Cornton Vale Baillie worked in the kitchens, preparing meals for other prisoners.
Some staff at Greens are said to have complained when she arrived for work on her first day.
One, who did not want to be identified said: "Baillie turned up at reception last week and said she was starting work that day. No-one knew anything about it.
"A few of the staff complained when they realised who she was.
"She’s still here swanning about with the ankle tag on. She says she’s paid off her mortgage and plans to buy a flat to get into the property business."
It’s understood they objected to her having access to personal details of members.
Last week she was criticised by the Scottish Solicitors’ Discipline Tribunal.
She avoided punishment by them after removing her name for the list of practising solicitors.
The organisation claimed this was a loophole which they would now look at closing, so members could be punished in the future.
Baillie had worked for Lobjoie and Co.
Baillie was hired by the gym’s General Manager Garry Blackadded who left the firm a few days later.
He said: "I knew who Angela was when I hired her. My departure has nothing to do with that."
Baillie added: "I’d like to be given the opportunity to move forward and rebuild my life."
