THE wife of Middlesbrough’s Deputy Mayor, Bob Kerr, was involved in an arrest drama at Stockton’s Holme House Prison over suspected drugs.
Mrs Genvieve Kerr was found in possession of tablets during a visit to the prison and was arrested and taken to Stockton Police Station.
She was, however, released two hours later without charge - the tablets were vitamin pills.
Councillor Kerr and his wife were visiting an asylum seeker currently detained at the prison as part of their involvement with local charity, Justice First, which works with people in the Tees Valley who are seeking asylum.
As is the case with any visitor to Holme House, Cllr and Mrs Kerr were subjected to a rigorous search before being allowed access to the visiting area.
During this procedure, Mrs Kerr was found to be in possession of a quantity of tablets, which she explained to prison staff were simply vitamin supplements.
The prison is well known for its vigorous anti-drugs policy and Mrs Kerr was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance last Thursday night. She was escorted to Stockton Police Station where she was detained for approximately two hours before being released without charge when it was established that the tablets were indeed vitamins.
Cllr Kerr said: “I fully understand why the prison authorities took the course of action they did as the problem of drugs in jails is a very real one.
“My wife had her vitamin tablets on her person as she always does, but with hindsight we can both see why the prison staff were quite rightly suspicious.
“We were treated at all times with the utmost professionalism and courtesy, both by the staff at Holme House and by Stockton Police.
“It is also reassuring to know that the authorities continue to operate such a robust policy in relation to the issue of drugs entering our prisons.”
Cllr Kerr has been a councillor in Middlesbrough since 1983.
Matt Spencer, Governor of Holme House Prison, said: “A lady was stopped coming into the prison. She had some tablets in her possession. The police were called and I believe they took her away for questioning.”
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: “Police received a call from Holme House Prison shortly before 6pm.
“Officers attended and arrested a woman in relation to drugs offences. She was subsequently released without charge.”
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