A WOMAN caught trying to pass drugs to her inmate twin brother during a visit at a top security prison narrowly avoided receiving a custodial sentence herself.

Staff observed Linda Louise Woods handing over the package to brother David in the visits area at Frankland Prison, Durham, on June 26, 2019.

Durham Crown Court heard the recovered package was found to contain 60g of cannabis.

Phillip Morley, prosecuting, said female prison officers detained Woods, but she became irate and struggled, lashing out with her arms and legs.

During the melee she bit one staff member on the elbow, causing bruising but not breaking the skin, and threatened to spit at another as she was restrained.

Mr Morley said Woods made full admissions to trying to pass the drug package over, but claimed she then tried to defend herself from the officers.

Woods, 23, of Bootle, on Merseyside, admitted conveying a prohibited item into prison and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

Tony Davis, mitigating, told the court: “It’s difficult to conceive of a defendant more remorseful than Miss Woods over her behaviour on that occasion.”

Mr Davis said Woods, who he described as “disgusted at her own behaviour that day”, has written letters of apology to the prison officers involved.

“It’s right to point out the injuries sustained were not long-term and, viewing the cctv footage, this is a slight lady who received some swift and condign retribution for her behaviour.

“She was taken to the ground in no uncertain terms.

“It’s, perhaps, not surprising there was such a reaction.”

Mr Davis added that Woods is in employment, with the prospect of a new job in Wales.

Judge Ray Singh said she took the decision to collect the package and then to try to take it into the prison, knowing what it contained.

But, partly because of the time lag in the case and the fact she is now in full-time employment, while also helping to care for her ill father, he told Woods he could narrowly avoid imposing an immediate prison sentence.

He passed an 11-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with a three-month 9pm to 6am home curfew.

Judge Singh also ordered Woods to pay £250 compensation to both injured prison officers.