Two women who separately tried to smuggle banned items into Erlestoke Prison near Devizes have been given suspended prison sentences.

Nicole Tomlinson, 27, of Tongham, Surrey, pleaded guilty to attempting to take steroids and sim cards into a prison and was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court.

For the steroids which are classed as a category A item, she was given an 18 month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge. For the category B item of Sim cards she was given a six month prison sentence suspended for 24 months.

Sgt Pete Foster said: “Tomlinson was arrested following a proactive stop by officers where she produced a bottle of steroids. The sim card was located during a search when she was in custody.”

Amy Batchford, 35, of Brockworth, Gloucester, pleaded guilty to bringing a cannabis, which is classed as category A into Erlestoke Prison.

She was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 24 months and ordered to pay a £140 victim surcharge.

Officers were called to the prison November 9 after staff became suspicious of Batchford’s behaviour. She was searched and found to be in possession of cannabis.

Sgt Foster added: “I am pleased that the courts have seen fit to issue custodial sentences, albeit they have been suspended in this instance.

“It is within everyone’s interests to have a safe prison, and taking illegal and prohibited items into prison undermines this and causes huge issues for those working there.

“We will continue to work in partnership with HMP Erlestoke to combat this issue, which includes both responding to concerns raised by the prison and proactive stops outside of the prison based on intelligence."

“In addition we regularly patrol the area to prevent throw-overs, and would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it to us via 101, or 999 if a crime is in progress.”

Both women were also ordered to carry out unpaid work as part of their sentences.