A class A drug supply smuggling operation inside North-east prisons has led to a gang being sentenced.
Several offenders were sentenced on Tuesday at Newcastle Crown Court, for the roles they played in a criminal enterprise attempting to operate behind prison walls. However, thanks to an investigation launched by the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) and the Counter Corruption Teams at HM Prison Northumberland and HM Prison Durham, the operation was shut down and those involved brought to justice.
The investigation was first launched back in August 2022 when a cell search of Shaun Mason, 34, uncovered a secret compartment inside a speaker which hid a WIFI device, a smartphone, phone charger, USB stick and an HDMI Switch box – all of which are prohibited items within prison.
The items were seized, and the partnership work began from there, with hundreds of hours spent downloading, decoding and reviewing voice notes, images, texts and emails unearthing a criminal drug conspiracy involving a prison nurse.
During the investigation it was revealed that Shaun Mason had been working with two other prisoners, Gladstone Allen, 33 and Scott Wilson, 35 to brings drugs into both HMP Northumberland and HMP Durham.
Further enquiries uncovered a further five offenders involved, Peter Swinney, 23, Kayleigh Mason, 35, Alexandra Wallace, 30, Kalvin Thomas, 26 and prison nurse, Kimberley Finn, 33.
Swinney, Kayleigh, Thomas and Finn were all subsequently arrested as part of the initial coordinated strikes on November 9, 2022. Wallace was arrested on May 11, 2023. Shaun, Wilson and Allen were all arrested in prison at a later date.
Thanks to the dedication of the officers involved and the overwhelming amount of evidence gathered, the eight all pleaded guilty during legal proceedings. The pleas and sentences were as follows:
- Gladstone Allen, who was already serving time in prison, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs into prison and one count of conveying prohibited articles into prison. He was sentenced to 14 months behind bars.
- Kimberley Finn, of Morris Crescent, Boldon Colliery, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison. She was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation requirements.
- Kalvin Thomas, of Raeburn Road, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs into prison. He was sentenced to 26 weeks suspended for 18 months with 150 hours unpaid work.
- Peter Swinney, of Copley Avenue, South Shields, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply drugs into prison, two counts of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and one count of possession with intent to supply. He was sentenced to six years and three months behind bars.
- Alexandra Wallace, of Newburn Crescent, Houghton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and conspiracy to supply drugs. She was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months with rehabilitation requirements.
- Scott Wilson, who was already serving time in prison, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison and conspiracy to supply drugs. He was sentenced to two years and four months behind bars.
Shaun and Kayleigh Mason are both due to be sentenced in March for their involvement.
Shaun, who was already serving time in prison, pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply drugs and three counts of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison. Kayleigh Mason, of Homestall Close, South Shields, pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property.
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