A JUDGE has issued a warning to inmates at HMP Bullingdon over using mobile phones after sentencing the latest inmate appearing at Oxford Crown Court who was found with a Samsung device secreted in his buttocks.
Omar Burke was given a further six months in prison after he was found with the phone during a search by prison officers in September.
Sentencing Judge Ian Pringle QC said at the hearing on Tuesday that any inmates found with concealed mobile phones would receive an extension to their time in custody.
He said: “People have got to understand that mobile phones are not permitted within the prison.
“It is something that is not acceptable.
“The prison has the ability to find these phones.
“I had three cases yesterday and I have more cases today.
“The message must go out that they will receive time added onto their sentence.”
READ AGAIN: Bullingdon inmates could be given phones in their cells to reduce mobile smuggling
The 26-year-old was discovered in possession of the phone during a ‘full search’ by prison officers on September 20.
Prosecutor, Amiee Parkes, said: “The defendant was asked to squat and the mobile phone was discovered between the cheeks of his buttocks.
“The defendant appeared in front of the governor and pleaded guilty at which point the matter was referred to the police.”
The court was told Burke had a string of previous convictions, including jail time for assisting an offender.
Defending, James Constable said his client had only had the phone for one day and had used it call his sister.
He said: “He knows it was the wrong thing to do, he is incredibly remorseful and he has said won’t do it again.
Burke had been in custody for a year and was due for release in April.
He will serve at least half of the six month extension to his sentence at the end of his current prison term.
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