A would-be drug smuggler was caught out after prison security staff noticed he was wearing two pairs of trousers. Rhys Carter, 35, went to HMP Forest Bank in Salford with a woman visiting a relative. He was found with cannabis, tobacco and an iPhone, all prohibited items within the jail which had been secreted on his person.
At one point when he was questioned Carter tried to leave, and ran away barefoot. When he was caught and questioned by police, Carter gave an 'illogical' explanation, Manchester Crown Court heard.
Search booth suspicion
Prosecuting, Ellie-Louise Fradley said Carter attended the prison on September 24, 2024, with an unnamed woman. The woman was due to visit a relative of hers. Carter was asked to enter a search booth on entry to the prison, and replied 'no' when asked if he had anything on him which he shouldn't have. He had aroused the suspicion of prison staff 'due to the fact he was wearing two pairs of trousers', Ms Fradley said.
At one point Carter tried to leave and said it was his daughter's birthday. But Carter was told he couldn't leave unless he handed any items over. Shortly after, Carter 'pushed past' staff and ran out 'barefoot', but later tried to return to retrieve his shoes.
Concealed items recovered
The concealed items were recovered and Carter was found to have 20.8g of cannabis, worth about £500 in prison, 25g of tobacco and an iPhone, said to be worth up to £1,500 within custody. He was arrested and interviewed, and declined the opportunity to receive legal advice. He gave what his own barrister described as an 'illogical' explanation, claiming that at the time he thought he was going to be arrested and had taken the items with him 'in the event that he was arrested'.
Defending, Louise Santamera said Carter no longer stands by that account. "It may indicate the chaotic state of his mind at the time," she said. Ms Santamera said Carter had a 'very entrenched drug addiction', abusing ketamine. She said this has left him with a 'debilitating' condition.
Eight-month sentence
She highlighted the delay in bringing the case to court, and said no explanation had been provided. "Conveying such articles into prison is a serious matter," Judge Alan Conrad KC told Carter. "It is for these reasons that deterrence sentences are necessary and immediate custody must follow." Carter, of Beechwood Close, St Helens, pleaded guilty to counts of conveying list A, B and C articles into prison, and possessing cannabis. He was sentenced to eight months in prison.
