A solicitor smuggled a syringe loaded with heroin into court cells as a birthday treat for his favourite client.

Martin Moore, 45, of Emerald Quay, Shoreham, was caught with the syringe, wrapped in tin foil, by police guarding the cells at Haywards Heath Magistrates' Court.

At first the former Adur councillor told officers he believed the package was a note from 31-year-old William Steele's girlfriend.

But yesterday his reputation and 20-year career were in ruins after he pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to supply drugs.

He was jailed for three years and nine months by Judge Brian Pollock at Croydon Crown Court.

The conviction means he will also be struck off by the Law Society.

Moore was a self-employed solicitor working under the supervision of Malcolm Wilson Cobby, of Liverpool Terrace, Worthing, until his arrest three years ago.

The court heard how he finally caved in after ex-soldier Steele, with whom he claimed to have had a sexual relationship, repeatedly begged for the drugs.

Phone calls between the pair were recorded as they plotted a way of taking in the heroin.

Three days before Steele's birthday, Moore was stopped as he approached the court cells.

It was believed Moore, who was leader of the Liberal group on Adur Council before resigning in 1986, was going to let Steele inject before his appearance and then take the syringe back out with him.

Judge Pollock told Moore: "The supply of drugs to prisoners is a serious problem. It is an offence of extreme gravity.

"For a solicitor to conspire to supply drugs in these circumstances is all the more serious.

"It was committed, not by a newly-qualified solicitor but by a solicitor of considerable experience. While I accept you were put under pressure, that pressure could and should have been resisted."

Christine Laing, prosecuting, told how Steele had been subject to closed visits, which meant he was allowed no contact.

Miss Laing said: "The only person who was in a position to get drugs to Steele was Martin Moore."

Peter Feinberg, defending, said: "Moore is facing the greatest shame of his life. He has lost his living, he has lost the respect of society and in effect he has lost everything he has built up.

"He is a vulnerable man who not only wanted to be respected but wanted to be liked. Because of his somewhat child-like naivety he made one error in his career and the error was caused by pressure put on him by Steele.

"He was pressured against his better judgement to make a grave error."

Steele, 31, of Old Shoreham Road, Hove, was sentenced to two years and nine months after pleading guilty to his part in the smuggling and nine months for absconding during a previous trial on the same charge.