A MAN "too weak to resist" pressure to smuggle heroin into a prison was jailed for 12 months, yesterday.

Robert Tobin, 35, of Topcliffe Street, Hartlepool, admitted trying to take the drug into HM Frankland Prison, Durham, at Teesside Crown Court, yesterday.

Amanda Perry, for Tobin, told the court that for years he had been subjected to "neglect, abuse, victimisation and torture" from his own family.

She said his long list of previous crimes was a result of being pushed into it by more sophisticated members of his family.

Ms Perry said her client had managed to break free from his heroin addiction, while serving a prison sentence, but had returned to using the drug after he again became involved with a family member.

Tobin, one of five siblings, was ordered by one of his brothers to take the drug into prison for an inmate.

Ms Perry said he would have "got away with it" had he not become nervous and moved it from his clothing where he had concealed it, into his mouth.

She said: "He knows he must go to prison, and that will keep him away from the clutches of his brother."

Judge Peter Fox said he would normally send Tobin to prison for 18 months for possession of a Class A drug with intent.

He said: "This is to encourage you to steer clear from all the influences that push you in ways that I do not think you would go on your own, and that you are too weak to resist."