A SMUGGLER caught trying to lob drugs, phones and tobacco into Erlestoke prison has been jailed.

Daniel Bryant was stopped by police in Erlestoke village on March 19. Officers found in his car a number of items that appeared to have been wrapped in preparation for being thrown over the jail wall.

Further enquiries linked him to incidents on March 12 and 15 where objects had been thrown over the fence.

Bryant , 46, of Air Balloon Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to bringing prohibited items - drugs, phones and tobacco - into a prison. He was sentenced to three years and four months imprisonment.

Reacting to the sentencing, Insp Pete Foster said: “This was really good work by our officers who were particularly diligent in their enquiries working alongside HMP Erlestoke, and were able to link Bryant to multiple incidents at the prison.

“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and will continue to work with the prison to disrupt the activity of those people who are intent on getting illegal items such as drugs into the hands of inmates."