A woman found with 10 bags of heroin inside her body has been given a conditional discharge for 12 months.

Tina Wood, 50, pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs when she appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, February 23.

The court heard that she was stopped and placed in handcuffs by police officers in Severn Street in Newtown on August 12. She was taken to the police station for a strip search as officers believed she had drugs hidden inside her.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Wood was "sweating profusely" but seemed to be hiding something.

She told a police officer that she was hiding 10 bags of heroin inside her body, valued at around £100. She was then taken to Shrewsbury Hospital where she passed a bag.

A police search of her home found £145 of heroin hidden inside a pillowcase.

Owain Jones, defending, said Wood is a "vulnerable adult" with learning difficulties and mental health issues.

"Her early guilty plea shows remorse and attempt to address any drug issue," he added.

A letter written by Jospeh Long on behalf of Kaleidoscope in Newtown, said Wood continues to engage with the provides drug and alcohol service to help her stop using opiates since August 17.

Mr Long said Wood was going through a period of being evicted from her property which was causing her a lot of stress and anxiety. He added that she has engaged well with support agencies, and that a methadone prescription has given started period of stability.

Chair of the magistrates bench Stephen Pembroke said they acknowleged that Wood was "taking advantage of getting her l;ife back on track".

Wood, of New Road, Newtown, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £107.