A mother-to-be faces having her baby behind bars after being jailed for taking drugs into a prison.

Eight months pregnant Sharon Carey wept as a judge told her there had to be “a clear and consistent message” that such offenders would be severely punished.

Carey, of Goteley Mere, Kennington, who is expecting her fourth child early next month, was sentenced to 12 months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Social Services had put her three children into care and would also take away her new baby.

She had hidden 7.35g of cannabis resin inside her body when she went to visit an inmate at Elmley Prison, Sheppey, on July 10 last year.

But prison authorities were suspicious from monitoring telephone calls between Carey, 21, and the inmate.

Peter Forbes, prosecuting, said Carey admitted having drugs on her when told she would be strip-searched and removed the Clingfilm wrapped cannabis.

In the phone calls, the prisoner used a crude code when referring to drugs, telling her to make sure it was split into two equal amounts.

Carey said she had been handed the drug at Ashford railway station and at first claimed it was for her own use.

Edward Risso-Gill, defending, said it was clear Carey had been used and manipulated by the prisoner she was to supply.

Mr Risso-Gill submitted a suspended sentence could be imposed.

Judge Martin Joy told Carey, who admitted possessing drugs with intent to supply, it was clear she was a willing participant.

“Those who supply drugs commit a very serious offence,” he said. “It is an utterly degrading habit. It undermines people’s lives.

“Those who take drugs into prison commit a particularly serious offence for reasons that are well known.”

The judge said he took into account the serious impact prison would have on Carey. But he also had to consider the public interest.