Court Told Smuggler Had A Bad Memory

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday June 14, 2006

GR

A WOMAN who had two mobile phones and a cigarette lighter in her possession when visiting a Cessnock jail maximum security inmate has been given a three-month suspended jail sentence.

Diane Julie Stewart, 51, unemployed, of Light Street, Bar Beach, pleaded guilty to bringing the items into the jail on January 22.

Tendered police documents said prison officers found the property when an electronic sound came from inside the visitors' area.

Stewart told the officers she had forgotten the phones were in her skirt's back pockets.

The lighter fell from Stewart's bra when she was searched.

When entering the jail, Stewart passed two signs depicting banned items.

She was given a form stating that phones and cigarette lighters were not permitted.

Solicitor Marbia Sorensen, for Stewart, said her client had memory difficulties and forgot she had the items.

Magistrate Errol Considine directed her to enter a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program.

© 2006 Newcastle Herald

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