AN 82-YEAR-OLD "sugar daddy" has been given a suspended sentence for trying to smuggle crack cocaine to a woman in prison.
Widower William Jones was arrested after staff at New Hall Prison near Wakefield caught him in possession of eight rocks of the drug.
Leeds Crown Court heard Jones had been trying to take them in to Michaela Moss, a younger woman who had a "hold" over him.
Retired engineer Jones, of Ledbury Road, west Hull, was arrested on July 17, last year, the day Moss was due to be released from the West Yorkshire jail.
Eight rocks, containing crack cocaine of high purity, were found in his wallet. He was also carrying drug paraphernalia including pipes, knife blades and needles.
Martin Robertshaw, prosecuting, said: "He was looked upon as being some sort of sugar daddy in respect of her.
"She manipulated the situation to the extent where she prearranged for him to meet somebody on the outside to provide her with crack cocaine."
Jones pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and supplying a Class A drug.
Moss pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a class A drug and was jailed for eight months at an earlier hearing.
Martin Devlin, mitigating, said Jones accepted he had behaved with stupidity.
Mr Devlin said Jones had no previous convictions and continued to have the support of his family, who were present in court.
Recorder Deborah Sherwin gave Jones a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.
She said: "It is very sad to see somebody of your age get yourself into that sort of mess. I am happy you are only here today because of Michaela Moss.
"She is a bad influence on you and she is someone who has got you into a lot of trouble.
"I can only advise you that you have nothing to do with her.
"It is very sad to see somebody of your age get into that sort of mess."
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