A former prison inmate has been sent back to jail after being convicted of trying to smuggle drugs into the facility for a friend being held there, and also having done so on previous occasions.

Magistrate Natasha Galea Sciberras heard how Claire Farrugia, 33  of Żabbar was strip-searched when she arrived at prison on November 3, 2011 to visit inmate Elaine Rapinett.

During the search, a female warders noticed a piece of tissue paper sticking out of Ms Farrugia's private parts. When asked about it, Ms Farrugia became agitated and wanted to leave, but she was held. A woman police sergeant was called and when she was told that another strip search would be conducted, Ms Farrugia handed her what had been hidden. The items consisted of three balls of brown powder, later confirmed to be heroin with 27 per cent purity.

Ms Farrugia had said in a statement that Ms Rapinett had phoned her and asked her to pick up the drug from a person who was to hand it to her near Mcast, Paola. She had done so because she knew Ms Rapinett both inside the prison and outside, when they were in drug circles.

She also said in a second statement that she had given drugs to Ma Rapinett at prison before, having initially denied doing so.

The court condemned Ms Farrugia to a year's imprisonment and a fine of €1,200. She was also ordered to pay court fees of €723.