A WOMAN was found to be carrying heroin with a street value of £1,390 after police took her to hospital for an intimate body search, Worcester Crown Court heard.

Tina Wyer claimed she needed the stash to slowly wean herself off drugs when she moved with her family to a new area away from Stourport-on-Severn.

She further insisted that scales found in a police raid at her former home were only used to weigh jewellery, said Tim Sapwell, prosecuting.

He said she was keeping the drugs for someone else and in exchange would be given heroin to support her habit.

Wyer, aged 24, of Warwick Street, Stourport, admitted possession of heroin with intent to supply on the day she was due to face trial by jury.

Jailing her for two-and-half years, Judge Michael Mott said she was "the junior partner" in a drug trafficking enterprise.

She had been keeping the drugs on her so they could later be passed back to the dealer and distributed.

Wyer was caught when police raided her previous flat in Old Ford Walk, Stourport, on Thursday, April 24.

Mr Sapwell said drugs were being prepared for supply. Wyer claimed she bought 13.9 grammes of heroin the day before for £300.

She had no previous convictions but had a police caution for drug possession.

Trevor Meegan, defending, said the circle of drug users she chose as friends led her into heroin addiction six years ago.

She came under the influence of others including an ex-boyfriend. When she was released, she planned to move away to live with her father.