Reece Summers, 24, was jailed for two years after a drone carrying drugs and contraband got stuck on the roof of HMP Liverpool. He was caught red-handed in a nearby park attempting to fly the device into the prison.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that on October 9, 2023, police on patrol near Walton prison saw two men crouching with a torch in a park before a drone was flown towards the jail. Both suspects ran off, but Summers was detained after throwing an item to the floor.
Drone and drugs recovered
Prosecutor Paul Blasbery described how an iPhone, a drone controller, and a bag of cannabis were recovered nearby. The drone was found stuck on the prison roof with a sock attached containing drugs, tobacco, cigarette papers, phones, and charging cables.
The package included 25.8g of cocaine at 75% purity, with a street value between £1,032 and £2,580, along with 125g of cannabis resin worth £625 to £1,250, and 54g of cannabis flower valued at £486 to £829.
Defence plea for leniency
Summers, originally from Kirkby but now of Campus Close in Manchester, was charged in March last year and failed to appear in court for 15 months. He claimed he did not receive the postal requisition after moving. He has two previous convictions for five offences.
His barrister, Julian Nutter, urged the judge not to "whack-a-mole him" or "throw him on the bone heap with the rest of them", highlighting his client's immaturity and recent positive changes. Nutter noted Summers had settled in Manchester with his girlfriend, reduced his drug consumption, and shown interest in employment.
Judge's sentencing remarks
Judge Dennis Watson KC said the plan was "sophisticated" and involved supplying drugs and phones to inmates under the cover of darkness. He acknowledged Summers was the "junior partner" but concluded the scale of the operation meant immediate custody was the only appropriate punishment.
Summers admitted three counts of conveying a prohibited article into a prison and was jailed for two years.
