A shoplifter from Reading who concealed heroin under his FORESKIN in a bid to smuggle it into prison was spared jail last week (Thursday, September 26).

Judge Nigel Daly, who heard warders found four wraps of heroin on Donald Houghton, remarked: “It was a rather unusual way of doing it.”

The court had heard the father-of-one, 48, had been jailed for six weeks after he was arrested for shoplifting on February 10 and was sent to HMP Bullingdon.

Prosecuting, Jane Davies said: "When he arrived at prison he was searched fully, invited to pull back his foreskin and concealed therein were four wraps of heroin.

"They were seized.

"He [Houghton] indicated that he had fallen asleep in the police station and that is why he had not offered them previously.

"He admitted that the drugs were his, although he had not planned or intended to take them into prison."

Ms Davies added that Houghton, who had admitted at the first opportunity conveying a list A article into prison, namely 0.75 grams of heroin, had a history of convictions for possession of drugs and shoplifting.

However, the judge at Oxford Crown Court gave the father-of-one a final chance by giving him a suspended sentence after hearing how Houghton was determined to tackle his drug addiction.

Defending, Jane Brady told the court Houghton had been working to rekindle his relationship with his young daughter, adding: “He is adamant that he will not commit further offences and is desperate to address his substance abuse issues.”

Judge Daly sentenced Houghton to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months and imposed a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement, involving monthly tests and 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement.

The judge said: “You clearly need help with your drug problem.

"You have never in the past been sentenced to a drug rehabilitation requirement. You will get that opportunity now.

“I am making it quite clear to you: if you do not undertake the requirements then you will be brought back before this court and the strong probability is that you will go to prison.”

Houghton, of Armour Road, Reading, thanked the judge and left the dock to see his probation team.