Arthur Collins, the scaffolder serving a 20-year sentence for a horrific nightclub acid attack, is now under investigation by prison authorities over suspected involvement in drone smuggling operations linked to organised crime.
Person of Interest for Drone Activity
Prison bosses have identified 33-year-old Collins as a 'person of interest for drone activity' at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. Sources indicate he is believed to have tried orchestrating deliveries of illicit items into the jail, using contacts on the outside to coordinate drops.
This is not the convict's first brush with disciplinary action for smuggling. In 2018, he received an additional eight-month sentence for using a contraband mobile phone to call his then-girlfriend, reality TV star Ferne McCann. He has also reportedly been caught with other banned substances, and alleged footage exists of him injecting steroids in his cell.
A 'Cushy' Life Behind Bars
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, a prison source told The Sun that Collins leads a 'pretty cushy life' on an enhanced regime. The source added, 'Collins has not changed and still thinks he is a gangster and the "big I am".' The prison's anti-corruption unit is said to be closely monitoring his associations and activities.
Collins was originally convicted of grievous bodily harm (GBH) and actual bodily harm (ABH) for throwing corrosive acid over a crowd at the Mangle E8 nightclub in Hackney, East London, in 2017. The attack left 22 people injured.
Wider Problem of Drone Smuggling
The case highlights a significant security challenge for the prison service. The Ministry of Justice recorded more than 1,000 drone 'drops' across the prison estate in 2024 alone. Packages weighing up to 7kg can be delivered in as little as 20 seconds, facilitating the flow of drugs, phones, and other contraband.
A Ministry of Justice spokesperson stated: 'We don’t comment on individual prisoners. We’re investing £40m in new security measures to clamp down on contraband in prisons – including specialist anti-drone netting and windows – and offenders face extra time behind bars if caught with illicit items.'
While incarcerated, Collins has had relationships with Love Island's Amelia Peters and ex-glamour model Annie Bullah. It was reported last June that Peters was visiting him regularly, but The Sun claims she has since ended the relationship after her family urged her to break ties with the convict.
