Mother jailed for smuggling cannabis

A Black Country single mother has been sent to jail for six months for trying to smuggle £2 worth of cannabis into Hewell prison at Redditch.

Michelle Willetts, aged 36, of Byron Street, West Bromwich, pleaded guilty at Worcester Crown Court to supplying the drug to a prisoner.

Judge John Cavell said it was a tragedy to see a person of good character in the dock but even taking a tiny quantity of drug into a jail would invariably result in custody as a deterrent.

Prosecutor Mr Gareth Walters said Willetts was seen on CCTV to reach into her groin area and pass something to a prisoner. A cling film wrap was later found near where he had been sitting.

Willetts, who has a school-age daughter, had been coerced into taking the drug into prison where its retail value would have been about £10, said Mr Andrew Baker, defending.

She was frightened she would lose her home if she had not co-operated.