A 47-year-old nurse was this morning jailed for 18 months after she was found guilty of smuggling drugs into jail in 2009 when she worked as the prison nurse. 

Jacqueline Dipasquale, 47, from Hamrun, was found guilty of supplying different drugs to two prisoners between September 2008, when she started working as the prison nurse and December 2009, when she was caught. 

She was found guilty of trafficking heroin, possessing cannabis in circumstances denoting it was not for her exclusive use and being in possession of psychotropic drugs without a licence. She was also found guilty to taking the drugs into prison.

The court heard how the police caught Ms Dipasquale, a separated mother of two on December 2, at the beginning of her 7am shift. The Drug Squad police found heroin and cannabis hidden in her cardigan pocket. 

She immediately admitted with the police that the drugs were for prisoners and she also gave police the name of the supplier and the prisoners for whom the drugs were intended. To supply the drugs, the nurse said the prisoner's brother paid her €50 for every consignment and it was he who supplied the drugs. 

She could not remember how many times she had smuggled drugs into prison but told the police she had been doing it for around three months with a consignment every fortnight. 

Regarding a plastic bag containing three sachets with cannabis that was found hidden in her vagina, the nurse said this was meant to be consigned to another inmate.

She had been supplying this inmate with drugs and other objects, such as alcohol, for about a month-and-a-half. She told police the inmate's partner used to supply the objects and used to pay her €50 for every consignment. 

Regarding Tramal and Voltaren pills found in her handbag, Ms Dipasquale told the police these were for prisoners who were in pain or those who were suffering from drug withdrawal symptoms because "she felt sorry for them".

The court heard how the police found a total of 8.20 grams of heroin and 3.3 grams of cannabis. 

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras noted that although Ms Dipasquale did not plead guilty to the charges brought against her, she cooperated with the police who were able to arraign other people in connection with the case. 

According to a pre-sentencing report, the court heard how the nurse had never abused of drugs and had also lost an eye when she was attacked by her partner in September 2012. 

Magistrate Galea Sciberras noted that although the amount of drugs found in her possession was not extravagant, neither was it insignificant, especially when she smuggled them into prison,  a place meant to serve as a rehabilitation centre. 

She jailed her for 18 months  and fined her €1,200. She also ordered her to pay €300 in court expenses. 

Finally, the magistrate drew the attention of the Prison Director to ensure that Ms Dipasquale is kept is a separate division to the prisoners she mentioned as the recipients of the drugs. 

Police Inspector Pierre Grech prosecuted. 

A day after her arraignment in 2009, the police had charged Rita Camilleri, 45, of Hamrun and Kevin Zammit, 42, of Pieta.

They had been charged with being in possession of and trafficking in heroin and cannabis grass and resin when they allegedly supplied the drugs to Ms Dipasquale to pass on to inmates.

The cases are still pending.