jail term

A BURST of applause greeted a judge's decision to spare a battered wife from jail after she was caught smuggling drugs into Risley prison.

Even probation staff and solicitors cried as Sheila Murphy walked free from Warrington Crown Court.

The 39-year-old from Verdi Street, Litherland, Liverpool broke down in tears, telling Judge David Hale: "Thank you so much. You will never see me in court again.

"There's one thing I have learned out of this - I have opened my mouth and said what my husband does to me."

Murphy had been facing up to five years in jail for taking heroin and cannabis into prison, hidden inside her body.

The drugs were discovered when her husband attacked her and they were separated then searched by the guards.

Michael Davies, defending, told the court on Friday Murphy was terrified of her violent husband and that she was going to tell him she wanted a divorce that day.

He said she'd never been in trouble before.

Judge Hale told Murphy: "I accept the relationship was abusive.

"And, I think that you hadn't made up your mind if you were going to hand over the drugs.

"The sentence will be one of two years - but taking all the factors into consideration, I will suspend the sentence."

Murphy's family clapped in relief and Murphy threw up her hands and cried out in thanks.