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Man tried to throw drugs into prison
A man captured on security film taking a run-up before throwing what turned out to be drugs into a prison yard is today beginning a three-and-a-half year jail term.
David Kershaw claims he was pressured into trying to get cannabis into Preston Prison.
Hilary Banks, prosecuting at Preston Crown Court, said a prison officer at the city centre jail was alerted that a man that was acting suspiciously.
He was being watched on CCTV outside the walls.
Kershaw took two runs and hurled items over the wall from St Mary's Street. The film was replayed in court.
A search of the grounds found, in an area close to the yards where prisoners exercised, cannabis resin inside cling film, weighed down by a brick.
Mrs Banks explained that the resin would have a street value of around 140 but would have been worth much more "inside".
Police studied the film and recognised Kershaw.
He had been wearing exactly the same clothing as when arrested the previous evening for an unrelated matter, the court heard.
At the time of the prison incident he was on bail and was given further bail as the drugs were sent for analysis.
While at liberty he twice broke into a flat owned by a woman neighbour.
Mrs Banks told the court the victim was left feeling "violated" after large amounts of blood were discovered on the floor and her bedroom ransacked.
Kershaw was arrested after DNA analysis.
He had cut his arm breaking into the property.
The defendant, 22, of Waterloo Road, Ashton, Preston, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply and also admitted burglary and asked for another break-in to be taken into consideration.
Sharon Watson, defending, said: "He had been pressured into throwing the drugs over the wall."
She added that he wished to apologise to the neighbour for the distress he knew he had caused.
Judge Stewart Baker said there had to be a substantial prison term.
Serious matters had been committed while Kershaw was on bail, he explained.
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Weather for Preston
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: 2 C to 3 C
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