A PREGNANT mum who smuggled heroin into Haverigg Prison in her knickers claimed she was pressured into it by an unknown "Scouser".

Penelope Sargent admitted two offences and appeared for sentence when she appeared before Barrow Crown Court yesterday.

The defendant was told by Judge Jonathan Gibson that the only reason she  avoided jail was because of her eight-week-old baby and the fact her daughter, 16, was starting her GCSE exams on Monday.

The 44-year-old was give a two-year prison term suspended for two years and told to pay £425 in court costs.

Prosecuting barrister, Miss Lucy Wright told the court: "She was visiting her partner in HMP Haverigg on November 2 where he is serving eight years for drug offences. She went through security and a drugs dog failed to pick it up. 

"It was during the visit that she was seen to be acting suspiciously on CCTV cameras. She started rubbing her stomach, she was pregnant at the time, and then put her hand down her knickers and pulled something out and put it in her pocket. Security went over and she had something clenched in her hand. It turned out to be 0.95 grams of heroin which was 52 per cent pure. 

"She told police that an unknown man with a Liverpool accent had called her persistently and, on the day of the visit, posted the drugs through her door. She was said she was scared of the Scouser and felt she had to deliver."

Defence barrister Miss Fiona Wise said her client had had a moment of madness and was fully aware she could be sent to prison.

She added: "Her boyfriend's influence on her is at the crux of this conviction and the case of a short-lived drug addiction. She was acting with the best intentions at heart when she agreed to take the package into Haverigg. This was the worst mistake she has ever made and she realises she could lose be separated from her children.

"She is deeply remorseful."

After deliberation Judge Gibson told Sargent he would be giving her  a suspended sentence and she wept with relief.

He said: "You said you felt pressurised to deliver and I accept that. You boyfriend clearly has drug connections on the outside to get drugs for himself.

"The only reason you are getting a suspended sentence is the fact your have an eight-week-old baby and a 16-year-old child who is about to take her GCSEs and is at a crucial time in her life."