Teesside woman ‘forced’ to smuggle drugs into Holme House Prison

Kelly Sharp admitted bringing buprenorphine, cocaine and MDMA into Holme House Prison in Stockton but claims she only did so under duress.

The 37-year-old was caught on the prison’s CCTV removing a package from her clothing before she was searched by a prison officer, Teesside Crown Court heard.

A judge heard how the drugs had an estimated value of £750 inside the prison system.

Rachel Butt, prosecuting, said the mother-of-one attempted to smuggle in nine ecstasy tablets, cocaine and the strong prescription painkillers.

She said she had been pressured into bringing the drugs into the prison by her now ex-partner.

“Her phone was seized and there were relevant internet searches including ‘can dogs smell ecstasy tablets?’; ‘can sniffer dogs smell if you have taken drugs?’ and ‘how to throw a drug dog off the scent’,” she said.

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Sharp, from the Teesside area, pleaded guilty to three charges of conveying a list ‘ a ‘ prohibited article into prison on July 25, 2024.

Kate Clark, mitigating, said her client had been forced to move on a regular basis after her ex-partner was released from custody.

The court heard how the defendant had been forced to live in a series of ‘safe-houses’ for her own protection.

Recorder Nicholas Worsley KC adjourned the sentencing hearing until February 23 to allow time for her defence team to collate evidence of abuse against her from her now ex-partner.