A MAN who tried to smuggle drugs to his inmate son on a prison visit may replace him behind bars, a court heard.

John Douglas Maughan is alleged to have tried to pass cannabis resin to his son via a walking stick passed under a table during a visit at Durham Prison, on Saturday October 29.

Charged with bringing, throwing or otherwise conveying a list ‘A’ article into a prison, he was to have appeared at a plea hearing in the case, at Durham Crown Court.

But, his barrister, Geoff Knowles, told the hearing his client, “a disabled gentleman”, who now uses a wheelchair, was unable to gain access to the dock in the 204-year-old court building.

“My instructions are that he will plead ‘guilty’ to this offence, and the intention is to relay a hearing via Teesside Magistrates’ Court to this court.”

The magistrates’ building in Middlesbrough is the only court in the North-East with facilities to cater for disabled custody cases.

Mr Knowles added: “It’s a case of listing a date for sentence with the court.

“I have left him in no uncertain terms that there is a round policy which could see him go into prison as his son comes out.”

The case was adjourned and the 57-year-old defendant, of Leafield, Ashington, was bailed to appear for sentence at the court on Teesside, on a date to be confirmed.