A crown court judge sent out a tough message by jailing expectant mum Paula Townsend for eight months for trying to smuggle drugs into a prison, writes Nick Evans.

The 27-year-old, who is expecting her second child in less than three weeks, was caught at Bullingdon Prison, near Bicester, trying to hand over £10 worth of cannabis which she had concealed in a bandage on her hand.

Sentencing at Oxford Crown Court yesterday, Judge Anthony King said a custodial sentence was the only option open to him, despite Townsend's pregnancy.

He told her: "You tried to smuggle drugs into a prison and this sentence is intended to send a clear message to you and anybody else who may be tempted to try the same thing." Townsend, of Norman Smith Road, Blackbird Leys, Oxford, pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply when she appeared before Banbury magistrates in January.

Nicholas Syfret, prosecuting, said she had tried to slip the drugs to an inmate friend during a visit to the prison in December. She was arrested after a woman prison officer saw her going into the toilet to remove the drugs from their hiding place.

Peter Greenfield, defending, said although it was a serious offence, Townsend had been pressured into smuggling the drugs by her boyfriend, who threatened to leave her if she refused. The couple have since separated.

Mr Greenfield added that Townsend realised she had done a "rash and foolish thing" and was very sorry for her actions.

Story date: Tuesday 29 February

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