A WOMAN who smuggled drugs into a prison was spared a spell behind bars herself after a judge heard that she is now pregnant.

Stacey Willgress was said to have been "the perfect mule" because she was vulnerable, and just one minor offence on her record.

Willgress was arrested after she passed on packages to an inmate during a visit to Holme House Prison in Stockton, last May.

Jail officials found 13 buprenorphine tablets, skunk cannabis, 19 diazepam pills and buprenorphine powder in balloons.

Prosecutor Harry Hadfield told Teesside Crown Court yesterday that the drugs would have a value of up to £1,900 behind bars.

Andrew Teate, mitigating, said 27-year-old Willgress, of West View Road, Hartlepool, had been "undoubtedly targeted".

He said she is having medical treatment for a blood clot, is now pregnant, and has a history of mental health problems.

"If she had to go to custody, it would be for a relatively short time, which would do her and her family no good," he added.

Willgress admitted three charges of conveying a prohibited article into prison and was given an eight-month suspended sentence.

Judge Peter Armstrong told her it was "her situation" which meant he did not have to send her to jail straightaway.

"From what I have read about you, you have difficulties that would be assisted by the authorities," the judge added.

"Make sure you don't reoffend, and you ought to address the depression you are suffering from and have done in the past."