A WARRANT has been issued for the second time in a month for the arrest of a woman who has admitted trying to smuggle drugs into prison on a visit.

Joanne Richardson admitted conveying a prohibited article into a prison at a hearing at Durham Crown Court, on July 1.

But it was on the basis she was pressurised into agreeing to take a package containing class A, B and C drugs into Durham Prison, on a visit to see an inmate, on April 7, 2019.

The prosecution did not accept that basis and a trial of issue was to be staged on December 10, but as she did not attend a warrant was issued for her arrest.

It was subsequently activated, but magistrates granted her bail on December 28 and she again failed to appear for the re-listed hearing, last Friday.

Martin Towers, for the Crown, applied for a further bench warrant to be issued for her arrest.

Judge Ray Singh agreed, and, so, again, issued a warrant for the arrest of Richardson, 48, of East Vines, Sunderland.