12:10pm Friday 10th July 2009
A man who tried to smuggle cannabis into a Bovingdon prison between his buttocks has been jailed for 12 months.
Leon Henry, 27, was found with 21.6 grams of the drug wrapped in cling film after a prison dog sniffed out the package at The Mount in Molyneaux Avenue.
The dog alerted prison staff who then tried to search him.
Henry told officers he could not squat because of a knee injury, St Albans Crown Court heard on Thursday.
However when interviewed Henry said he was taking the cannabis into the jail to "surprise" his older brother Jason Henry.
Henry, of Fairfax Road Hornsey, in London pleaded guilty to possessing a Class B drug on February 15 this year with intent to supply.
The court was told he had three previous convictions for three offences and two cautions. In November 2003 he had been sentenced to five years for aggravated burglary.
Defence barrister Daniel Jameson said Jason Henry had a prison debt for food and tobacco and had asked his brother to supply him with the cannabis so he could pay it back.
Mr Jameson said Leon Henry was hard working, running his own business. He said he had volunteered at the Prince's Trust and the YMCA.
Judge Michael Baker QC jailed him for 12 months saying: "Drugs in prison are a constant menace. Anyone planning to take them in is bound to face a prison sentence."
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk