A YOUNG mum who tried to post drugs into a prison for her brother has avoided being put behind bars herself.

Alisha Rowley, of Wyndham Gardens in Wrexham, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday morning to be sentenced.

The 22-year-old had previously admitted conveying ketamine and heroin into HMP Berwyn in October 2021.

Brian Treadwell, prosecuting, told the court that a package received by her brother Jake Rowley - at the time a serving inmate at HMP Berwyn - contained the drugs, which had been hidden inside a dressing gown.

READ MORE: Brother and sister in court after trying to get drugs into HMP Berwyn

When the garment was x-rayed and later unpicked, four parcels of a brown powder - later confirmed to be heroin - were discovered, as well as three parcels of a white powder, later identified as ketamine.

Police inquiries confirmed Alisha Rowley had gone to a post office in Caia Park and paid for the postage of the package.

When her communications were analysed, it was discovered her brother had made various calls to her asking for her to post a package in.

He advised her to spray perfume around the parcel - thought to be a tactic to get around the prison's sniffer dogs.

When Alisha Rowley was interviewed by police, she became upset and said she'd been pressured by her sibling.

At a sentencing hearing in December, 25-year-old Jake Rowley, of Gwenfro in Wrexham, received a two year sentence for his part in the offences, to run concurrent to his 10 year ongoing term for his involvement in a drugs conspiracy.

READ MORE: HMP Berwyn officer jailed for smuggling alcohol into prison

Oliver King, defending Alisha Rowley, said: "She was under a great deal of pressure and she is clearly vulnerable.

"It's a very sad case."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "Drugs in prison are causing chaos.

"Violence is used against other prisoners and discipline falls apart.

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"Staff in prison have their safety badly affected and it's a crisis in Berwyn Prison."

The Judge said while courts were expected to impose custodial sentences in order to deter others in cases of this nature, he took into consideration her good previous character, the pressure which she was under and the fact she has a 15-week-old baby.

He added: "I have no doubt you acted under pressure.

"You still knew what you were doing but you were influenced by a family member who is in a completely different league."

The Judge handed down an 18-month sentence, but suspended it for two years.

The defendant must undertake 100 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Parry told her: "It's an exceptional chance you're being given.

"Don't re-offend. Get on with being a decent member of society."