An almost completely blind woman who was sentenced to three years in jail for taking cannabis into a prison has had the term confirmed on appeal.

Maria Farrugia, 56, delivered the drugs to a relative on April 27 last year. She had been charged with trafficking, aggravated possession, relapsing and committing the crime during the operative period of a suspended jail term.

Ms Farrugia pleaded guilty and was sentenced in May 2012.

In her appeal, she argued that the jail term was excessive, especially given her physical condition.

She also argued that she has been incorrectly found guilty of trafficking and should have been convicted solely on the charge of taking drugs into prison.

Mr Justice Michael Mallia noted that Ms Farrugia had pleaded guilty as charged adding that once an admission had been registered the magistrate had no option but to declare the charges brought against her as proven. In the light of the admission there would be no evidence to evaluate.

The judge said that the Magistrates’ Court was correct to hand down a jail term because, by law, it was barred from handing down any other punishment.