A woman was caught attempting to smuggle prescription-only Class C drugs into a prison for an inmate.

Victoria Gale, 42, of Sherwood Road, Grimsby admitted possession of a Class C controlled drug with intent to supply at Hull Crown Court.

Stephen Robinson, prosecuting, told the court that Gale took controlled class C drugs – namely buprenorphine, a powerful painkiller used by cancer patients, and pregabalin, a drug to treat epilepsy and anxiety – in a prison when she visited an inmate in November.

Read more: Man appears in court for sexually assaulting a woman walking down the street

She was caught in possession of drugs and was later arrested. She pleaded not guilty at the start of her hearing, but later changed her guilty plea.

Mitigating Fatima Zafar told the court that Gale faced several difficulties in her life two years ago when the offense was committed, but now wants to turn her life around. From the docks, Gale addressed the judge saying she had ‘made a mistake’ and ‘would never be caught doing something like that again’.

Judge Mark Bury told Gale: “Two years ago you made the stupid decision to bring drugs into jail. Maybe someone offered you money or you were a easy target to take drugs to jail.

“Normally taking drugs in prison would result in an immediate custodial sentence, but I have been told you are going through a difficult time in your life so I will suspend the sentence.”

Judge Bury sentenced Victoria Gale to a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, as well as five days of rehabilitation. He reminded her that it was not optional and that she could find herself serving the four months if she did not show up on the required days.

READ NEXT: