An inmate who smuggled cannabis into the prison has had his sentence extended by a further eight weeks.

Carl Joseph Bridson was already serving 20 weeks custody, imposed on January 5 for assaulting a police officer and being drunk and disorderly, by a magistrates’ court.

After that sentencing the 32-year-old was taken to the prison, searched and put in a cell.

However, later that night a prison officer said there was a smell of cannabis coming from Bridson’s cell.

A cell search was carried out and Bridson was asked if he had anything that he shouldn’t have. He pointed out a Kinder egg and said that there was tobacco inside it.

Bridson was taken out of the cell for a body search and asked if he had anything on him.

He then took out cigarette rolling papers, four rolled cigarettes and a small amount of cannabis from a pocket in his shorts.

Bridson was also seen putting a brown substance in his mouth and was told to spit it out. He refused and swallowed the substance but then reassured staff that it was tobacco and would not harm him.

Also found was a lighter flint and what was described in court as a ’small condom’.

The cannabis was said to weigh 0.3 grams and be worth £6 with the tobacco weighing 50 grams.

Staff at the prison said that the value of a hand-rolled cigarette can be up to as much as £20 each and that they were often used as currency.

Defending Bridson in court advocate Roger Kane said: ’The maximum sentence for these offences is six months’ custody. But it was a very small amount of cannabis here. We are talking enough for one or two joints. We have taken the point they are used as currency in prison.But these were not being used for any other purpose than personal use.

’Mr Bridson was in a sense being co-operative. I know he did swallow some tobacco but he did point out the Kinder egg.

’He hasn’t sought to waste court time or money. He simply wants to get sentenced as soon as possible.

’He has accepted any sentence will be consecutive. It was simply a case of taking a chance and getting caught.’

Chair of magistrates Caroline Convery said: ’It doesn’t need us to comment on the problems caused by drugs in prison. But we do accept, as far as the cannabis is concerned, it is a very small quantity.’

Bridson pleaded guilty to introducing articles to the prison and possessing cannabis.

He was sentenced to eight weeks for each offence to run concurrently to each other but consecutively to the 20-week sentence he is already serving.

An order for forfeiture and destruction of the drugs was also made.