A BID to pass on cannabis resin to an inmate in a young offenders' institution (YOI) left a 21-year-old man also serving time behind bars.

Adam Simons was seen taking an item from his sleeve and placing it into a crisp packet, which he handed to the inmate he was visiting at Deerbolt YOI, at Barnard Castle.

Durham Crown Court was told that Simons was arrested and the package was found to contain 3.3 grammes of cannabis resin.

Simons told police he had bought the drug in Darlington, intending to smuggle into the institution when he arrived for the visit.

Aisha Wadoudi, for Simons, said he has now weaned himself off drugs, and was doing well on a New Deal course in landscape gardening.

Simons, of South Church Road, Bishop Auckland, admitted supplying cannabis and was given a 12-month prison sentence.