A mother must spend Christmas in jail away from her three young children because she tried to smuggle heroin into the city prison.

Paula Williams (23) pleaded guilty at Winchester Crown Court to possession of heroin with intent.

Sentencing, Judge Patrick Hooton, said he needed to send a warning to others tempted to take drugs into the jail: "It is far too prevalent. If this sentence stops one person from doing it, it will be worthwhile.

"You are going to be spending Christmas without your kids. The sentence is three months in prison," he told Williams, who has three children, aged four, three and six weeks.

Francis Chamberlain, prosecuting, said that on March 24th, Williams visited Leonard Larkin (25) a convicted robber. She was stopped by officers at the gate and taken to be strip-searched.

"She was fidgety and asked why she was chosen. She was taking her clothes off and turned round. She said: 'I can't take clothes off for him, (her boyfriend) why should I for you?"

When she refused to continue, she was arrested and taken to North Walls police station, where she was asked if she had drugs. She pulled a small package from her waistband. It contained 220mgs of heroin with a street value of £15, but worth more in prison, said Mr Chamberlain.

Williams, of Middle Brook Street, Winchester, said she had been sent the parcel and was told to take it into the prison. She did not know it was heroin and thought it was rat poison.

Mr Chamberlain said: "She said she had no idea someone would want rat poison in prison."

Judge Hooton said: "People who supply heroin usually get a sentence measured in years. You were persuaded--not coerced--to do this for someone else.

"The people inside should serve longer sentences than those who take the stuff in."

Williams showed no emotion as she was led away.