A teenager who tried to smuggle a mobile phone into Westgate Correctional Facility by hiding it in her bra has been handed a 12-month conditional discharge.

After a trial on May 2, Char-donnay Saltus, 19, from Pembroke, was found guilty of attempting to convey the item into the prison on October 23 last year.

At yesterday’s sentencing, prosecutor Karen King told the court the phone was found hidden between two bras that Saltus had been wearing.

Ms King said that when metal detectors were set off, Saltus claimed it was her chain or belt, and the phone was found during a subsequent body search.

She added that Saltus had displayed no remorse and had claimed she forgot the phone was there, and called for a period of probation.

However, defence lawyer Arion Mapp said Saltus had youth and “previous good character” on her side.

A graduate of the Berkeley Institute, he said Saltus had attended Bermuda College for a while and was now looking to study overseas.

Stressing that a conviction could hinder her chances and impact her future, Mr Mapp requested that she be given a conditional discharge.

Addressing the court, Saltus said: “I understand how it may have looked.”

While she said she respected the judgment, she added: “I cannot say that I am guilty.”

But magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo reiterated that he did not accept her story, stressing that she was familiar with the prison visitor procedures.

He added that “the only thing in your favour is that you didn’t get it in”, as well as her lack of previous convictions.

Mr Tokunbo handed her a 12-month conditional discharge and bailed her to appear at the Department of Court Services next week.

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