Prison drugs throw from County Hall
CCTV of drop shows ‘not a guard in sight’
Two men were spotted climbing steps at Maidstone’s County Hall and throwing drug packages into the prison.
Inmates were also caught on CCTV waiting for the drugs in the jail’s courtyard..before disappearing inside.
Prosecutor Natasha Hausdorff showed the footage inside the prison, which resulted in the judge retorting: “And not a guard in sight!”
Maidstone Crown Court heard a number of packages were thrown - though none were recovered by prison staff. University student Jevontay Small, 20, from Ilford, was seen by a prison officer who was watching CCTV and alerted police who gave chase.
The prosecutor said he was seen to thrown a back pack under a car in which nine bags of cannabis, with a prison value of up to £11,000 ,was later recovered.
Small fled inside a shop but was arrested.
Ms Hausdorff said the stairs at the side of County Hall offered a view of a courtyard inside the prison and known as somewhere used to throw items inside the jail.
Defence lawyer Kerry Waitt revealed how Small had agree to do it for £500 to pay his rent. “He is not part of an organised drugs gang. He was motivated by financial gain,” she said. “An opportunity arose and he thought it was easy money. But this is a once and once only offence.”
Small admitted possessing cannabis with intent to supply and was jailed for six months. Judge Philip Statman told him: “Cannabis in prison constitutes
a serious social evil.
“Cannabis currency” inside jails resulted in “extortion and oppression” and often resulted in inmates getting into debt and being “bullied and intimidated,” he added.
The judge said Small was a “highly intelligent” man who had done it for cash to pay his student accommodation rent. “You took a calculated risk and the risk didn’t pay off.” A second man is expected to go on trial later this year.