A RECOVERING drug addict was jailed for three months after being found with four heroin-substitute pills in his pocket during a prison visit.

Staff monitoring Durham Prison’s visits area decided to search Darren Lee Woodward as he appeared “nervous and fidgety” while seeing an inmate, on April 29.

Durham Crown Court heard that he had already been searched on arrival and was cleared to carry on the visit, at about 5.30pm.

But, when he was searched again, a prison officer recovered a red water balloon from one of Woodward’s trouser pockets.

On examination it was found to contain four buprenorphine tablets, known in the prison environment as “subbies”, a strong opiate which helps to reduce withdrawal symptoms for people attempting to overcome heroin addiction.

Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, said no attempt appeared to have been made to pass on the drugs to the inmate Woodward was visiting.

But, Mr Mullarkey said Woodward and the prisoner were sharing wine gums, which he said were similar-looking to the recovered balloon ‘package’.

When arrested Woodward told police he used buprenorphine himself, as a recovering heroin addict.

“He said he knew he shouldn’t have taken them into prison and only realised he had them while looking for money in his pocket to pay for the sweets.

“He said he had no intention to supply them to the inmate he was visiting.”

Mr Mullarkey said the defendant’s previous convictions include offences for drug possession, theft and other dishonesty, plus motoring matters.

But, the latest offence put him in breach of a short suspended prison sentence, imposed for harassment, at Newcastle Crown Court, last November.

Woodward, 35, of Lambourne Close, Bournmoor, near Chester-le-Street, admitted conveying a prohibited article into prison.

Stuart Graham, mitigating, told the court: “At no time did he try to hand over the drugs, or the package.

“He says he became nervous when he realised they were in his pocket, but he didn’t hand them over.

“However, there’s a strict liability in a prison environment, regardless of intent.”

Jailing him, however, Judge Robert Adams told Woodward: “My suspicion is that your intention was to pass on those drugs.

“In the circumstances, there has to be an immediate prison sentence to act as a deterrent to people who might consider taking items into custody and to ensure they are extremely careful as to what they take into prison.”

The judge also ordered forfeiture and destruction of the recovered drugs.