DRUG offenders who tried to smuggle thousands of pounds worth of narcotics into a prison have been sentenced.

The two women, Ann Butler, 37, of Hall Street, Barrow, and Naomi Haworth, 30, of Admiral Street, Burnley, tried to supply an inmate at HMP Haverigg with heroin.

Police estimate the drugs to have a street value of £9,000.

They were stopped on their way into the prison and the package was found hidden under Butler's clothing.

Howarth denied knowing that the package contained drugs but was found guilty of drug offences and sentenced to three years in prison at Carlisle Crown Court on August 5, 2014.

Butler pleaded guilty to drug offences and was sentenced to five years and eight months imprisonment on May 28, 2014, at Preston Crown Court.

Rob O’Connor, Temporary Detective Superintendent  of Cumbria Police, said: “Once again this demonstrates how the Courts take a really dim view of people trying to smuggle drugs into prisons.

“This follows on from other recent sentences in the Crown Court where hefty jail sentences were handed down for similar offences of trying to smuggle contraband into HMP Haverigg.

“Cumbria Police continue to work successfully with HMP Haverigg to tackle individuals who are intent on getting drugs and other items such as mobile phones into the prison. The two recent sentences should send a stark warning to people that if they attempt to smuggle goods into prisons, you will end up in prison yourself. This means serving a lengthy sentence, where you will have time to reflect on your wrongdoing.”

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The Governor at HMP Haverigg, Mr Tony Corcoran, said: “I am grateful to the police for their interception of these drugs bound for HMP Haverigg.  The sentences imposed by the Judge sends out a clear and unambiguous message that this type of criminality will not be tolerated.

“I am confident that the excellent joint working between HMP Haverigg and Cumbria Constabulary will continue to go from strength to strength.”