Drugs 'mule' forced to do it
A WOMAN used as a drugs 'mule' has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for trying to smuggle heroin into a Doncaster prison.
Denise Haden was pressurised into taking the drugs into HMP Lindholme for a man she did not even know, Doncaster Crown Court was told,
The 45-year-old mother from Lupset, Wakefield, pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.
Prosecutor Carl Fitch said staff kept Haden under surveillance during a visit and saw her acting suspiciously with a packet of crisps.
An officer checked the packet and found four wraps of heroin, which she handed over without hesitation. The wraps contained about 300 worth of the drug, although it would have been much more valuable inside prison.
In interview Haden said she had been bullied and feared for the safety of her children if she did not comply with being told to take the drugs inside.
Her barrister, Neil Clark, said she was someone who was easily bullied and found herself in a position where someone more aggressive than her knew she was a soft touch.
"She stood to gain nothing by the offending if she had successfully got the drugs into prison. She did not do this for someone's well-being and has learned her lesson from this."
The court heard Haden had a previous drugs supply conviction and was also on bail for driving while disqualified at the time. Judge Jacqueline Davies said she was "older and should have known better".
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Friday 25 May 2012
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