A MAN who tried to sneak drugs into a prison by hiding them inside a crutch has been spared jail.

Robert Bailey, of Imperial Drive in Leigh, Lancashire, appeared at Mold Crown Court for sentence on Tuesday morning.

The 59-year-old had been convicted at a previous hearing of three offences of conveying drugs into HMP Berwyn - two of which related to cannabis and the other ketamine.

Catherine Elvin, prosecuting, told the court that on January 10, 2022, Bailey had attended the Wrexham prison to visit his son, who was serving a sentence there.

He walked in using a crutch, which was put through an x-ray machine as part of the establishment's security procedures.

At that point, officer noted some "abnormalities" with the object and took the defendant to one side to be searched.

The crutch was found to contain a number of small packages of drugs.

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Ms Elvin said after the defendant had been released under investigation, his son's use of the prison call system was analysed.

Officers heard discussions about the crutch having not been "packed properly" which caused too many air pockets in the object's handle.

That, she said, "gave the game away."

Laura Knightly, defending, conceded that the offences were serious, and her client was aware of the risk of immediate custody.

"It is clear he acted foolishly here, out of concern for his son," she said.

"It is not a sophisticated offence."

She said Bailey - who has 21 grandchildren - was "described as man who would do anything for his family."

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He has health conditions and has previous suffered a stroke, she explained.

Bailey received an overall sentence of 16 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

He was made the subject of a four month curfew and must undertake 20 rehabilitation activity days, as well as paying a £187 victim surcharge.