A MAN, who tried to smuggle a package of legal highs into Risley Prison, has vowed to turn his life around.

Karl Howarth, of Cabul Close, Orford, was caught trying to pass a collection of legal highs - often called Spice - to his brother during a prison visit on January 29.

The 46-year-old, who has 44 convictions for 106 offences, was seen on CCTV by prison officers to hand over the package.

He was arrested at the scene and admitted to the offence during a police interview.

Howarth, who represented himself in court, said he did not want to carry out the task but had no other option because of a debt he had acquired.

He said: "If it had been a class B drug or something like that I wouldn't have taken it in.

"I did not want to take it. I have never done it before."

The chairman of the magistrates, Mary Radcliffe, said it was clear that he was trying to clean up his act.

She said: "We have listened carefully to what you had to say and the effort you have been making to turn your life around. We felt like this is a fair fine."

Howarth, who was homeless for a decade before securing a flat a few years ago, was handed a £75 fine and £20 in victim surcharge.