Young killer caught with illegal phones at Leeds jail 'just wanted to talk with his mum and nan'
A teenage killer took selfies on mobile phones found stashed in his prison cell, later claiming he just wanted to stay in touch with his mum and nan.
Harvey Oliver, who is serving a sentence for manslaughter, was caught with an iPhone, a Zanco micro mobile phone, two chargers and three SIM cards at YOI Wetherby.
Leeds Crown Court heard that suspicions were raised about prisoners at the institute using smuggled phones, so thorough searches were carried out in October last year.
During a search of Oliver’s cell, officers found a package hidden in the fitting of the fluorescent ceiling light that contained the phones. Analysis of the phones found Oliver had taken selfies and photos in his cell while he was wearing prison-issue clothing.
The 19-year-old later refused to be interviewed by police.
Appearing in court via video link from HMP Fosse Way in Leicestershire, he admitted a charge possessing forbidden items in prison.
He was previously jailed for eight years and four months for manslaughter in which a person was stabbed to death and another badly wounded. He is not eligible for parole until October next year, prosecutor Emma Handley told the court.
Mitigating, Mohammed Rafiq said that Oliver was “still very young” and had told him he “just wanted to keep in touch with his family, his mum and nan”.
Mr Rafiq acknowledged that illegal phones in prison can be “problematic” but said: “There’s no evidence he was involved in any illegal activity, other than having the phone.
“This has had a negative impact on him when the phones were found. He lost his privileges. Having said that, he has tried to move on with his life.”
He said Oliver had taken courses in catering, English, maths and arts. He has also been given a trusted job in the servery.
Judge Richard Mansell KC alluded to the troublesome issues caused by illegal mobile phones in prison settings, that they were “extremely valuable” and cause a “real risk to security and safety of others”.
He said the offence would need to be marked by a fresh jail term.
He gave Oliver a new 10-month sentence, which will run consecutively to his existing sentence.