POLICE had to use a Taser stun-gun on a prison officer who took cocaine into the jail, Preston crown court heard.
The incident happened during a struggle in the governor's office at Lancaster Castle after police arrived to search Gavin Holden and he tried to swallow the drug.
Police then searched his home and more cocaine was found. But the court was told tha
t it was accepted that the drug was for his own use. Holden told police he had been intimidated and threatened by an inmate who let him know that he had his car registration number, his home address and his mother's address.
He admitted he took a mobile phone into the prison and was given the cocaine which he intended to use himself.
The judge told Holden that he had escaped an immediate custodial sentence "by the skin of his teeth."
Holden, 31, of Stratford Close, Lancaster, had been committed for sentence after he pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine. He also admitted obstructing a police officer when he tried to conceal the drugs.
He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to do 200 hours of unpaid work for the community, and pay £245 costs.
He will also be on a three-month curfew keeping him home between 8pm and 6am.
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