A Wrexham woman who smuggled cannabis into a prison lost her plea to be spared custody after being diagnosed with cancer.

Donna Spruce was handed a one-year custodial sentence after admitting drug charges at Mold Crown Court where Judge David Hale was told she was being treated for spreading melanomas and was told last year she had only 18 months to live if her cancer was not treated.

“Your health problems are in the extreme. You have a diagnosis of terminal cancer and you have skin cancer which is spreading. But that is set against the gravity of what you have done,” the judge told Spruce.

The court heard how police executed a warrant at the 49-year-old’s home and found quantities of cannabis and amphetamine as well as £1,110 cash.

Spruce claimed the cannabis was for her personal use. But two Samsung mobile phones were also seized from her house and data on them showed the defendant had been smuggling cannabis to prisoners in HMP Altcourse on Merseyside using local men who were bound for custody as drugs mules.

Prosecuting barrister Ryan Rothwell said: “She [Spruce] explains in the messages how she makes up the balloons with the drugs inside. She gives one man four balloons of drugs to smuggle in.”

While Spruce told police the balloons were destined for her son who was on remand, it was said her network of distribution was much wider as the smuggling continued over a four-month period.

“One of the conversations between a man called Harry and her sees him ask for credit which is indicative of a long-standing and commercial relationship,” added the prosecutor.

The court was told there was an element of sophistication in the process as Spruce organised visits of family members to exchange the drugs.

A text she received at a time her husband and son were incarcerated at Altcourse said: “Dad said that weed is shit, so don’t pay.”

Spruce of Pentre Gwyn, Wrexham pleaded guilty to possession of a Class B drug with intent to supply. She also admitted two counts of supplying a Class B drug, possession of a Class B drug and possession of criminal property with all the offences committed between April 8 and August 6 last year.

Defence barrister Paul Smith made a plea for mercy because of Spruce’s health.

“She has had melanomas removed from her head and back, but the cancer has reached a lymph so she is on steroids and she has lesions on her lungs,” said the barrister.

“This is the kind of case where the extraordinary personal mitigation of her health could lead to the court suspending the sentence.”

But Judge Hale disagreed and in passing sentence said: “This is a grossly serious thing to do. You found people who were likely to receive custodial sentences and were going to Altcourse. You created balloons of cannabis and asked them to distribute them to you son.”

The judge also ordered Spruce pay the £1,110 proceeds of her drugs to North Wales Police and issued a forfeiture of the drugs and phones. She was also told to pay a £140 victim surcharge on her release from prison.