Gang who smuggled drugs and phones into Lancaster and Preston prisons jailed

A criminal gang who smuggled drugs and phones into prisons in Preston and Lancaster have been given lengthy jail sentences.

The East Lancashire gang were sentenced after an investigation by Lancashire Police’s exploitation team which uncovered the network going into both Lancaster Farms and Preston prisons.

A raid on prison nurse Kiera Burton’s home address and car found items including a pair of shoes with hollowed out soles, as well as SIM cards, mobile phones and cash.

She had been rumbled after she was stopped and searched on her way into work and was found with drugs and sim cards on her.

The gang also used sophisticated drones to deliver parcels of drugs which were dropped into the prison yards.

Another tactic involved a serving prisoner claiming to be unwell so they were taken to hospital where they would pick up packages of drugs and phones left for them in the toilets.

Evidence was gathered to show drugs were also brought into jail in children’s clothing on prison visits.

The investigation began into the drug supply of Stinton Glover and Eric Taylor where billing for Glover’s mobile phone showed two of the top contacts were prisoners inside Lancaster Farms prison.

Further enquiries uncovered the rest of the criminal network with the part of the illicit operation run from inside prison coordinated by inmates Jonathan Royal and Danny Ryder.

The Organised Crime Gang were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Friday (March 21).

Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Exploitation Team, said: “This was a sophisticated criminal gang involving both serving prisoners and people on the outside smuggling drugs and other contraband like mobile phones and sim cards on a regular basis into prisons using a variety of different methods.

“We will continue to work with our partners in the prison service partners to tackle drug supply and target anyone involved.

“Criminals who think they can carry on with their illicit operations behind bars should think again – this case shows that we will dismantle criminal gangs operating inside and outside of prison, disrupt their activity and pursue offenders and put them before the courts.”

“I am grateful to colleagues in the prison service and at the Crown Prosecution Service in what was a very complex investigation.”

Sentenced were:

Eric Taylor, 38, Haven Street, Burnley, jailed for our years three months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in supply of cannabis, possession of a class A drug with intent to supply, possession of ketamine with intent to supply.

Stinton Glover, 32, of Hargreaves Street, Burnley, jailed for five years for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in the supply of Cannabis, possession of Cannabis with intent to supply.

David Leach, 32, of Castle Hill Street, Shotton, Deeside, jailed for five years 10 months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in the supply of Cannabis and Spice.

Oliver Howlett, 35, of Lancaster Farms, sentenced to nine months for conspiracy to convey list A an B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms.

Jonathan Royal, 32, of no fixed address, jailed for seven years 11 months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Preston, conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in supplying Cannabis, Spice and Ketamine.

Deborah Ingram, 53, of Pembroke Street, Burnley, jailed for one year two months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Preston.

Katie Walter, 22, of Spring Street, Rishton, jailed for one year four months, for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in the production of cannabis, and converting criminal property.

Keira Burton, 33, of Alvis Close, Farington, jailed for one year eight months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Preston, being concerned in supplying Cannabis and Spice.

Jamie Whelan, 29, of Hermitage Street, Rishton, jailed for two years three months for being concerned in the production of cannabis , production of cannabis and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Daniel Ryder, 32, of Spring Hill Road, Accrington, jailed for six years for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in supplying Cannabis and Spice and being concerned in the production of Cannabis.

Ryan Pickering, 32, of Lancaster Farms, sentenced to four years six months, for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Preston, being concerned in supplying Cannabis, Spice and Ketamine.

Sean Allmen, 37, of Lancaster Farms, jailed for one year eight months for conspiracy to convey list A articles into HMP Preston.

Sean Mortimer, 45, of Windermere Avenue, Burnley, was jailed for five years 10 months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in supplying Cannabis and Spice.

Michael Royal, 34, of Quaker Drive, Brierfield, jailed for two years nine months for conspiracy to convey list A and B articles into HMP Lancaster Farms, being concerned in the supply of Cannabis, Dangerous Driving and Aggravated Vehicle Taking.