A woman who covered a package containing cannabis with curry powder before trying to smuggle it into a Suffolk prison has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Casey Lawless was stopped by staff at Stradishall prison after a sniffer dog showed an interest in her and she handed over the package which was hidden in her chest area, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Peter Gair, prosecuting, said the package contained herbal cannabis which had been covered in curry powder before being wrapped in cellophane in a bid to avoid it being detected by sniffer dogs.

Following her arrest Lawless said she had paid £50 for the cannabis.

Lawless, 29, admitted attempting to convey a prohibited item into prison in July this year and was given a four month jail sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered to do a 25 day rehabilitation activity requirement.

The court heard that Lawless had been planning to give the drugs to her partner who was a serving prisoner.