Man jailed for nine years for conveying contraband into prison

Yorkshire Photography

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News: Latest - distributed around Yorkshire February 10, 2017 11:46:04 AM


Former prison officer Thomas Lee, 29, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday morning (Thursday 9 February), where he was sentenced to a total of nine years behind bars after being found guilty of attempting to convey contraband into HMP Doncaster.


Police arrested Lee, of Balby, Doncaster, in November last year, after he was found attempting to smuggle in four packages containing numerous mobile phones, SIM cards, memory cards and over 300 grams of different Class A, B, C and psychoactive drugs worth in excess of around £25,000, into the prison.


A further search of his home and car also revealed further packages containing another mobile phone and almost 450 grams of drugs, that he intended to convey into the prison.


DC Karl Turton, from the Regional Prison Intelligence Unit, stated : “The sentence we have achieved today demonstrates the great work that was done on this joint investigation into Lee, involving prison staff at HMP Doncaster, the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Prison Intelligence Unit and Doncaster LPT Performance Crime Team.


“Lee was in an observable position of trust and authority - he exploited this for his own personal financial gain.


“This investigation involved all partner agencies and policing teams working effectively together, to establish how Lee was attempting to smuggle the drugs and contraband into the prison.


“The consequences of drug misuse and mobile telephone possession within prisons is the main instigator of violence and disorder, but also extends beyond the prison walls into the local communities. We will continue with our work to keep both the local communities and the prisons within them, safe.


“South Yorkshire Police are committed to removing drugs and the associated threats from our communities - all available action will be taken to bring offenders before the courts.”


If you have any concerns relating to drugs, please do not hesitate to contact police on 101. Alternatively, you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.


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