A Billericay teenager hid herbal cannabis in her bra when visiting a prisoner at Highpoint Jail, Suffolk, and planned to pass it over through a kiss, a court heard.

Katie McPherson, 19, narrowly escaped a custodial sentence herself when she appeared before Judge Peter Thompson at Ipswich Crown Court last week.

McPherson, of Haven Rise, Billericay, admitted a charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

The court heard she was of previous good character and was very scared of being locked up for the offence.

Judge Thompson said he took these factors into account when deciding not to give her a custodial sentence.

But he pointed out that people who took drugs into prison could normally expect to be given a custodial sentence.

McPherson was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work under a community service order. She must also pay £114 prosecution costs.

Earlier, John Akast, prosecuting, told how prison staff became suspicious when she went straight to the toilet on arrival at the prison.

It was discovered she had a small piece of herbal cannabis - a fraction of a gramme - inside her bra. When she was interviewed immediately after going into the toilets, she was unable to speak.

The court heard she had transferred the cannabis into her mouth and planned to pass it to the prisoner with a kiss.

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