A TEENAGER who smuggled drugs into prison for her boyfriend has been spared jail.

Judge Peter Armstrong told Claire Louise Ashcroft she deserved a custodial sentence but he would not lock her up because she had been coerced into the offence.

Ashcroft, 18, was described by her barrister, Stephen Constantine, as a "nave girl" who went through with the "hair-brained scheme" despite prison notices about smuggling, because she feared for her own safety and out of misplaced loyalty.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Ashcroft's relationship with the drug dealer was frowned on by her law-abiding parents and her friends, and she had ended it since the offence last September.

The man called her to say he was in danger inside Holme House Prison, Stockton, and needed her to take in some pills before the people who were threatening him got weekend release, when she might be at risk.

Ashcroft, of Castle Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, hid about 18 sleeping tablets in her bra, but prison officials found them when she was strip-searched.

Mr Constantine said: "Custody would be devastating. When you hear of court proceedings having a salutary effect, this young lady is absolutely terrified. She has come to court believing she may not go home.

"There is absolutely no risk whatsoever of this type of behaviour being repeated."

Judge Armstrong told Ashcroft, who admitted possession of a Class C drug with intent to supply: "You are an intelligent young lady, but it seems to me you were badly used in this case."

He gave tearful Ashcroft, who was of previous good character, a 150-hour community punishment order and ordered her to pay £230 prosecution costs.