Darlington woman withd rugs in bra tried to enter Stockton prison (From The Northern Echo)

Darlington woman withd rugs in bra tried to enter Stockton prison

9:30pm Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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A PRISONER'S 'pen pal' was persuaded to attempt to smuggle heroin substitute into jail, a court was told.

But suspicions were aroused as Lindsey Claire McMaster arrived at Holme House Prison, Stockton, intending to see the inmate, on October 31 last year.

When asked if she had any illicit substances, McMaster produced a cling film package from her bra.

It contained 14 tablets found to be heroin substitute subutex, also called buprenorphine.

McMaster, 27, of Corporation Road, Darlington, claimed she was "forced" to take them into the prison.

She was charged with possessing a class C drug with intent to supply.

Although she denied it, citing 'duress', a jury returned a 'guilty' verdict following a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month.

McMaster was back before Recorder Simon Hickey, for sentence at Durham Crown Court.

Tom Mitchell, for McMaster, said: "She got involved in correspondence with this inmate, but you may think that he engineered the 'pen pal friendship' and has gone on to exploit it.

"In her short life to date she has become a victim at the hands of most of the men she has come across."

The court heard McMaster has no previous convictions and has just one caution for cannabis possession, from 2001.

Recorder Simon Hickey told McMaster: "There are a number of signs warning of the consequences of taking drugs into prison.

"You deliberately took the drug into this jail, intending to supply to a prisoner."

Jailing her today for six months, Recorder Hickey added: "It merits an immediate prison sentence, but I take the view it should be as short as possible."