‘I smuggled drugs to pay for funeral’

AWOMAN pressurised into supplying drugs to a prisoner said she wanted to fund her partner’s funeral.

Emma Ingram was caught taking a selection of banned narcotics into HMP Chanings Wood.

Bristol Crown Court heard she was vulnerable as a result of addiction to Class A drugs and alcohol and intimidated into doing so.

Ingram, 42, of Southdown in Bath, pleaded guilty to supplying Class A, B and C drugs.

Judge Michael Longman handed her a two-year community order with rehabilitation and alcohol treatment.

He told her: “You know you have admitted very serious offences.

“It is difficult to overstate the effect of drugs in prison in underminding rehabilitation, morale and discipline.

“Those who do normally receive a sentence of imprisonment which must be served immediately.

“There is a need for deterrent.” Emily Pitts, prosecuting, said Ingram visited an inmate at HMP Channings Wood and he was found with a package.

A review of the CCTV footage showed that Ingram jad passed the package to him.

It was found to contain 6.7g of cocaine, 25g of Spice and 81g of cannabis, with a total value put at £7,100.

Ingram said she was paid to deliver it and she thought it was cannabis and tobacco.

Emily Evans, defending, said: “It came about as a result of pressure and intimidation being placed on Miss Ingram.

“At the time of these offences Miss Ingram’s partner was extremely unwell and she thought that he was at the end of his life.

“She indicated to the (probation) report writer she would have used money she was promised to pay towards her partner’s funeral.”

Miss Evans told the court her client had suffered significant trauma throughout her childhood and adult life.

Ingram told the judge: “I’m not making excuses for what I did, I am sorry.”