A MUM who claimed she was tricked into smuggling drugs into HMP Risley under the pretence her son needed the tablets on medical grounds has been jailed.

Bridget Ward from Rochdale has started her three month sentence behind bars after pleading guilty to conveying a prohibited article into prison.

The court heard how the 69-year-old, who has never been to prison before, went to visit her youngest son on March 26 at the prison on Warrington Road.

Once inside the prison, Ward was spotted by staff acting suspiciously.

Sarah Morgan, prosecuting, said: "While sat in the visiting room she was seen to put her hand inside her bra and remove two small package.

"At this time she was detained but tried to put something into her mouth.

"She continued to try to swallow but started to choke.

"She was eventually able to swallow the second package."

The remaining package was seized and it was found to contain a quantity of Subutex.

In interview Ward said she had been provided with the package by her older son the day before her visit and believed it to be medicine to treat ulcers.

Glenn Carrasco, defending, said she was acting out of love for her son.

He said: "She is very loving to her children.

"She was aware her son was suffering as a result of not being medicated and that is why she took the drugs in.

"She had no idea of the potential value and knows little about Subutex."

But despite calls from the defence team to suspend the sentence due to the defendant's previous good character, Judge Tina Landale dismissed claims that this was an appropriate punishment.

She said: "You decided to smuggle two packages of Subutex into prison for your son and you know you should not have done that.

"There are plenty of signs in the visiting areas making it perfectly clear you should not do that."