Inmate caught with mobile phone at Leeds prison said he needed it to check on his relatives' health during Covid-19 pandemic

A drug dealer who was caught with a mobile phone at a prison in Leeds claimed he had the device so he could check on his relatives' welfare during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Prison officers found the phone after detecting a mobile phone signal coming from Jakir Hussain's cell at HMP Wealstun, near Thorp Arch.

Leeds Crown Court heard officers went into the cell just after midnight on June 12 this year and found the device in a cupboard.

The phone was fitted with a sim card and had a charger.

HMP WealstunHMP Wealstun
HMP Wealstun
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At the time of the offence, Hussain was serving a 16-month sentence at the Category C prison for possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

He has three further convictions for class A drug dealing.

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Andrea Parnham, mitigating, said Hussain pleaded guilty to the offence at an early stage.

Ms Parnham said: "He was serving a sentence for his most recent offence and when he went into prison the world became a different place."

The barrister said Hussain acquired the phone so he could contact family members and check on their health.

She added that Hussain was concerned for his own health as it was difficult to access the healthcare he needs due to the pandemic.

Hussain was jailed for eight months.