A man who smuggled phones and chargers to an inmate at Lancaster Farms prison has been handed a suspended sentence.

Alexander Thomas Dickson, 30, of Thornton-Cleveleys, met inmate Joe Wilding during visiting hours at HMP Lancaster Farms on June 25 last year.

It was here that he attempted to pass the prisoner a cling film wrapped package containing three iPhones, six micro mobile phones, 10 chargers, a micro-screwdriver and a battery that he had hidden in his trousers.

It seems that Dickson had been corralled into the crime by a group of 'ruthless' drug dealers who considered him to be in debt to them over a missing package of cocaine.

If he smuggled the contraband into the prison on behalf of the dealers the debt would be settled but Dickson was caught by prison officers immediately and arrested.

Dickson pleaded guilty to smuggling the phones in HMP Lancaster Farms.

"I want you to see me writing this in red pen with exclamation marks: 'last chance'," Judge Mark Brown told Dickson as he suspended his 10 month sentence.

"These are extremely serious offences, they strike at the heart of the justice system. Mobile phones in prisons, in the hands of inmates, can undermine order and discipline.

"They also enable inmates to continue their criminal activities. Normally, people in this court,with this offence, go to prison straight away."

Judge Brown was told about the issues behind Dickson smuggling in the phones and agreed that the 30-year-old had been  'intimidated' into doing so by 'ruthless drug dealers'.

He also took into account the man's mental health issues and conceded that sending him to prison would be detrimental to his recovery.

Judge Brown said: "I'm very mindful that if I sent you to prison today you would be at personal risk.

"It would set you back immeasurably, you have the opportunity of work and your mental health seems to be more stable.

"Your life seems to be getting back on a more even keel."

The 30-year-old, who has two previous convictions, appeared in Preston Crown Court today dressed in dark suit with a red tie.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of conveying a prohibited article into prison and wiped tears from his eyes as the judge passed sentence.

Dickson was handed a 10 month prison sentence suspended for two years with a community order.