A PRISON chef was locked up yesterday for smuggling drugs into a top security jail.

Durham Crown Court heard two pieces of cannabis resin were found hidden in the sole of Ian Stuart Clarke's shoe during a search at Frankland Prison, on the outskirts of Durham, in March.

Police were called and found six packages of skunk cannabis and £2,260 in cash in a search of his home.

Ian Findlay, prosecuting, said Clarke made full admissions, saying he was approached about taking drugs into the prison by an inmate, in September 2003.

Clarke, who was nearing the end of a temporary contract, was instructed to collect the drugs from a man from Manchester, at Washington Services, on the A1(M).

He was given two blocks of cannabis resin, a £500 payment and a mobile phone, on which he was to be given instructions about future collections.

In a further dozen or more collections, he was paid £500 for every 4oz consignment of cannabis resin, or £1,000 for "double deliveries".

Despite being made permanent chef, he told police he was too fearful of the inmate to end the smuggling.

Tim Parkin, mitigating, estimated Clarke, who will be 43 tomorrow, made £11,000 from his activities. He spent £1,500, and used the rest to buy premium bonds or pay into his bank account.

Clarke, of Lincoln Avenue, Silksworth, Sunderland, admitted six counts of supplying cannabis and one of acquiring the proceeds of criminal property.

He was jailed for 30 months. Judge Richard Lowden also ordered Proceeds of Crime proceedings to investigate Clarke's financial gains from his activities.