A CROOK with a long police record tried to smuggle a wrap of cannabis into a prison for an inmate he had served time with, Worcester Crown Court heard.

William Innes dropped the drug into a cup in a visitors' area of Blakenhurst prison.

But his actions alerted a CCTV operator and cannabis weighing 3.79 grammes was seized from the inmate, said Abigail Nixon, prosecuting.

When police searched Innes' home in Poplar Road, Redditch, they found two pistols. He had been banned for life from possessing firearms by reason of a previous conviction.

Innes, aged 37, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs with intent to supply and possession of firearms when prohibited.

Jailing him for two years, Judge David McEvoy QC said taking drugs into prison meant an automatic jail sentence.

He added there was public concern over weapons which could easily be adapted to fire lethal ammunition.

Innes travelled to Blakenhurst on June 21 last year but was seen reaching into his jeans and clenching his fist, said Miss Nixon.

He put the drug into the cup and the inmate then picked it up and began to drink. The cannabis was wrapped in cling film.

Innes told police the guns had been bought by him to give away as Christmas presents.

He had a record stretching back to the 1980s which included burglary, wounding, indecent assault and possession of a weapon.

In 1998 he was jailed for two years for five counts of handling stolen goods. That sentence prohibited him from holding guns.

Michael Aspinall, defending, said he took the drug in after getting a phone call from the inmate who was desperate and prone to self harm.

"He wanted the cannabis to take his mind off things," he added. "The defendant made a foolish attempt to assist a friend."

Mr Aspinall said Innes now wanted to start up his own business and was eligible for grants as an unemployed man.

He had three children with his partner and a fourth child was on the way.