Ex-inmate caught bringing drugs into jail, court told

Stephen Crichton, 48, who unsuccessfully tried to breach security checks at Durham Prison to pass on tranquilliser pills, has since joined him "inside".

Durham Crown Court heard that, since the incident, last June, Crichton has been jailed for 12 months for theft and criminal damage.

That sentence has been extended by a further nine months after he admitted possession of the tranquillisers, class C drugs, with intent to supply.

Lesley Kirkup, prosecuting, said on arrival for the prison visit, Crichton was searched, but nothing was found.

He left the visit area to use the toilet and, on his return, was again searched, but when he was asked to open his mouth by a suspicious prison officer, he pushed him away.

Crichton was led to a side room and became aggressive, and had to be restrained by a number of prison officers.

Eventually, he spat out a balloon which was found to carry three packages containing a total of eight tablets.

Crichton claimed the package did not belong to him, but when interviewed later, made no reply.

The court was told Crichton, of Princes Street, North Shields, has been an habitual offender, with 155 offences on his record in 80 convictions.

Peter Schofield, for Crichton, said during one of the resulting prison sentences, in 1995, he shared a cell with the inmate he was trying to take the pills in for, as a favour.

Mr Schofield said the pills were passed on to Crichton by members of the prisoner's family.

"He had them in his pocket, and he began to regret his actions, so he went to the toilet and put them in his mouth, but clearly he was under surveillance by the officers.

"He regrets it. He, basically, thought he was doing a favour for someone who he was acquainted with and was making no financial gain."

Adding the extra nine months to his sentence, Judge Maurice Carr told Crichton: "Taking drugs into prison is a serious matter which should, automatically, attract a sentence of imprisonment."