Inmate launches outburst after sheriff hands him extended sentence for phone offence

A sheriff was branded a “nugget” by a prisoner after handing him a jail sentence for possession of an illicit mobile phone charger.

Anthony Elder released a verbal tirade against Sheriff Lindsay Foulis after being handed a further five months on top of his current 30-month sentence.

The 28-year old had admitted being in possession of a cable in his cell at Perth prison on July 24 last year.

Charging cables, along with mobile phones, are considered prohibited items by the prison service.

Depute fiscal Lisa Marshall told Perth Sheriff Court that the cable was damaged.

She said: “Prison officers were conducting a medical check within the accused’s cell and during the course of that they found a USB charger.

“It had exposed wires at one end and a USB at the other.

“It was not of any use to Mr Elder but it was nonetheless a prohibited item, which he admitted ownership of.”

Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said Elder had been punished by prison bosses for infraction.

He said: “He is serving a 30-month sentence and he’s been punished by the loss of privileges for 14 days.”

After Sheriff Foulis sentenced Elder, who is a prisoner at Perth, to five months to be served consecutively to his current spell the prisoner exploded into an offensive outburst in the dock, yelling: “You’re a...nugget”.