AN INMATE at HMP Berwyn has been handed extra jail time after he received a package of drugs from a visitor.

Jonathon Ainsworth appeared at Mold Crown Court via video link from the prison on Thursday.

He had previously admitted four offences of conveying drugs into HMP Berwyn on a day in September 2019.

Dafydd Roberts, prosecuting, said at that time Ainsworth had built up a drugs debt and was put under pressure to repay it - otherwise others would "do him in."

He was told his debt would be cleared by receiving what he believed to be a package of "tobacco and weed."

When the visitor - who is to appear in court at a later date - came in, the handover of the package to Ainsworth was seen by officers.

It was intercepted a short time afterwards and found to contain MDMA, Cannabis, Oxandrolone and Oxymetholone with a collective value of up to £2,000.

Charlotte Kenny, defending, said 26-year-old Ainsworth was to be released from custody following the completion of a seven-and-a-half year sentence.

She invited the court to hold back from imposing more jail time, explaining: "He has had a very difficult upbringing, starting to embark on [taking] drugs at the age of nine and indulging in class A by 13.

"When he was incarcerated he was put under pressure originally to facilitate the supply of drugs into HMP Featherstone. "He stood up to those putting pressure on him and was violently attacked in the prison. "That really puts this offence in context - he was worried about what would happen to him.

"He has a list of qualifications he has undertaken and had an offer of employment as a plasterer's mate.

"He also has a young son and wishes to have some input in that boy's life."

Judge Timothy Petts told him: "You had a visitor while serving a sentence at Berwyn.

"It wasn't someone you knew but it was someone who visited you on a 'dry run' before.

"That visitor will be dealt with by me in due course.

"You are genuinely remorseful and have taken responsibility for your poor decision making."

Judge Petts handed Ainsworth a sentence of one year and eight months to be served immediately.

The court heard the co-accused defendant intends to plead guilty for his part in the offences, and is to appear at court at a later date.