Inmate who got parcels through jail fence had six mobile phones in his cell

A DERBYSHIRE father who was jailed for splitting his own son’s head open with a hockey stick was found with six mobile phones in his prison cell.

Derby Crown Court heard staff at HMP Sudbury were given information that Gavin Morris, right, was receiving parcels by the fence at the category D open jail, near Ashbourne.

As a result, they searched his cell and found the devices which the 43-year-old, from Swadlincote, said he had been bullied into holding for other inmates.

Jailing him for eight months, Recorder William Harbage QC said:

“In 2018 you received a fairly significant sentence of four-and-ahalf years and for some of that time you were in a category D open prison.

“Staff there received intelligence you were receiving parcels at the fence so they searched your cell on September 18, of last year and found the six phones.

“That is a serious matter because there is an implication on prison order and prison security. Phones are very prized items in prison and you were doubtless aware of that.

“Whether you brought them in or were holding them for others makes very little difference.”

In September 2018, Morris, then of Oxford Street, Church Gresley, received his jail sentence after pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

That hearing was told how in July of that year, he split his son’s head open when he attacked him in the street with a hockey stick, in an argument over Morris’s love life.

Stephen Kemp, prosecuting the new offence said the defendant was just a month short of being released from jail when officers at HMP Sudbury found the phones in the cell. Morris, now of High Street, Newhall, pleaded guilty to possessing prohibited items inside a prison. Stuart Newsam, mitigating, said: “The offence happened on September 18, last year and he was released the following month. “Since then he has made good progress obtaining a tenancy at a multi-occupancy terraced property and re-establishing contact with his teenage daughter.

“He hopes to undertake employment with a friend who has his own painting and decorating business.

“His explanation of the offence itself was that he was subjected to bullying at Sudbury and felt compelled to hold these phones during the daytime and passing them on to those who owned them at lockdown at 8.30pm.

“He was intimidated and threatened with physical violence and felt compelled to take the risk for others.”