My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star’s sister hid phone in baby’s nappy on prison visit

The sister of a My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star tried to smuggle a mobile phone to her ex-boyfriend in jail by hiding it in a baby's nappy, a court heard.

Barbara McFadyen, 23, was rumbled while visiting Shane Warburton at Brixton Prison, south London, with her five-month-old baby on April 13 last year.

"She was caught by prison officers trying to smuggle a small mobile phone and charging lead into Brixton prison, hidden in the nappy of her youngest child," said Robert Meikle, prosecuting.

"When interviewed she made no comment."

McFadyen is the younger sister of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Josephine 'Josie' McFadyen, who got married in the first ever episode of the Channel 4 series, and who was also the show's first divorcee.

She admitted bringing an article without authorisation into prison and was handed a six-month sentence, suspended for 15 months at Inner London Crown Court.

Lucie Wibberley, for McFadyen, said her troubled relationship with her ex-boyfriend, led to the offence.

She said: "She has severed ties with her ex now which wasn't an easy thing to do.

"He is serving at another prison but she isn't in contact with him.

"She had a very troubled schooling from her moving around, and she's now very much supported by her father, mother and one of her sisters.

"She has never disputed her actions in this case, she has always accepted that."

Judge Jeremy Donne QC told McFadyen: "One thing I want you to understand is that young women, particularly with young children, are often recruited by criminals to smuggle contraband into prison.

"The reason criminals recruit young women is because they think judges won't put them in prison and therefore there's nothing to be lost.

"And so judges are put into a very difficult position, because no judge wants to put young women with young children into prison.

"I am not going to put you in prison today, but if you breach the order I will pass down to you in a moment, you will almost certainly go to prison."

McFadyen was also ordered to complete 10 days of rehabilitation and made subject to a daily curfew from 9am-6pm, which will last for three months.

"I need you to know that you are being physically punished," he continued.

"It will curtail the social life that you have.

"I want you to be reminded by that curfew that you are being punished for your offence."

The judge added: "You have other convictions, largely for assault and other public disorder offences.

"I bear in mind you were vulnerable at the time you were recruited to do this.

"The psychiatric report indicates you are dealing with a number of issues and I hope you are getting help for those.'"

McFadyen, of Hounslow Road, Hanworth, west London, admitted bringing an article without authorisation into HMP Brixton.

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