A prisoner has been sentenced after thousands of pounds worth of drugs and mobile phones were found stashed in his cell.

Simon Davies, 44, originally from Bolton was handed a six-year jail term at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday (September 26) after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A, B and C drugs and possessing a mobile phone whilst in prison without authority in March.

The HMP Preston inmate’s cell was searched on Thursday, 16 March 2016 and revealed a haul of 11 small mobile phones, sim cards, around £19,000 worth of spice, cannabis with a street value of around £4,500, approximately £6,100 of heroin, cocaine with a street value of £1,500 and around £1,800 worth of steroids.

The items were found by prison staff hidden in the cell with the help of a prison drugs dog.

It is believed that the items were smuggled in and were destined to be sold to other prisoners.

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DC Justin Singleton, from Preston CID, said: “The items found in Davies’ cell could have been extremely dangerous and it is lucky that they were seized before they were sold on.

“I am pleased with the result and hope it sends a clear message to criminals thinking of either smuggling illegal items or drugs into prison that they will get caught and brought to justice.

“If you have any information about this kind of activity, please report it to us on 101. Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.”

This six year sentence is to be served in addition to a previous six year sentence which he was handed in January 2016 for a burglary.