by Julia Roberts

A convicted drug dealer planned to smuggle heroin into a Sheppey prison so he could kill himself, a court heard today.

David Foreman, 47, was described as being in a “highly emotional state” when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court in July last year for sentencing on a charge of possessing the class A drug with intent to supply.

Expecting to be jailed for at least seven years, Foreman secreted heroin and diazepam inside his body with the intention of comitting suicide once behind bars.

But, having been sentenced to a more lenient 27 months, Foreman decided to flush the drugs away instead.

However, prison officers at Elmley became suspicious and confronted Foreman on arrival. He then handed over the drugs, as well as 24 valium tablets.

Foreman, of Pepys Avenue, Sheerness, admitted two offences of conveying an article into prison.

At today’s hearing the prosecution said they did not accept Foreman’s claim that his original intention was to use the drugs to kill himself.

However, Judge Philip St John-Stevens, who jailed Foreman in July last year, described himself as having a “peculiar and knowledgeable insight” into the defendant and said he DID accept his claim.

Sentencing him to just four months to be served concurrently to his existing period of imprisonment, Judge St John-Stevens said he wanted to “underline” the fact that there were “particular and unique” circumstances.

“This is a wholly exceptional case. If anyone takes any form of drugs into prison they should expect a significant and lengthy term of imprisonment.

“Drugs in prison undermine the whole system and undermine defendants who are trying to break away from drugs.”

The judge continued: “I presided over the trial and had the benefit of seeing you and understanding the strides you had been taking to rid yourself of drugs.

“I accept you expected a sentence in excess of seven years and you intended to take your life.

"But I make it clear that the sentence today reflects those facts and no other facts.

"I hope everyone who learns of this case understands that.”

Judge St John-Stevens added that if the drugs were taken into prison to be distributed among inmates the sentence would have been in years and consecutive.

Foreman’s sentence of four months is not expected to affect his release date in August.