A 26-year-old woman was jailed for nine months yesterday after she admitted a bid to smuggle more than $45,000 worth of cannabis resin to Bermuda.

Magistrates Tyrone Chin heard that Sheneal Harris was arrested at the airport with 457.49 grams of the drug.

Harris, of Pembroke, at first denied the offence but changed her plea before trial.

She told the court she used cannabis to treat chronic back pain.

Harris said: “I understand my wrongdoing. I’m really sorry and I’m not going to do anything like that ever again.”

She added that since the incident she had passed several courses at Bermuda College and aimed to become a nurse.

Harris told the court: “Doing time would really put it back.”

Cindy Clarke, for the prosecution, said a sentence of between six months and one year, along with a period of probation, was appropriate.

But Mark Daniels, the defence counsel, argued that a sentence suspended in part or whole was a suitable penalty.

He said Harris had admitted guilt and regretted her actions.

Mr Daniels said: “She took a stupid gamble and she lost.”

He said Harris was a young woman who wanted to get her life together after a difficult upbringing.

Mr Daniels added a “short, sharp shock” might be appropriate.

Magistrate Tyrone Chin also ordered that Harris should serve two years on probation after the jail term.

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