Doncaster officers help disband criminal enterprise which smuggled drugs into prisons
Officers worked to uncover the operation
Officers and detectives in Doncaster have helped disband the work of a prison criminal enterprise responsible for smuggling drugs into multiple prisons.
Today four people have been convicted.
The court heard hot dog tins, mouthwash, washing powder and ultimately, any items that could conceal drugs, were used as part of a sophisticated operation within prisons nationwide.
Brandon Horne (23) and Kieran Murphy (30) were both inmates in prison, with Horne’s mother Michelle Midgley (48) and Murphy’s partner Lydia Pinnington (28) acting as outside accomplices.
In 2023, Murphy and Pinnington were convicted of their part in a large-scale conspiracy to smuggle illicit items in prisons. Murphy was sentenced to over seven years and Pinnington was given a suspended sentence. It was at this time officers became aware that the duo were already embarking on their next venture.
Using a contraband mobile phone inside prison, Murphy began conspiring with Pinnington to smuggle items inside and to also bring Midgley and Horne into their circle.
As the investigation progressed, it became apparent that the gang’s processes were intricate and had a co-ordinated distribution network inside.
When prisoners are transferred, their property is sent on in the following days. Murphy and Horne would work closely together, understanding other inmates’ prison transfers and then circumvent the authorised prison property procedure to sneak drugs and contraband into fake property packages using associates on the outside and they would be sent on as if they were the genuine prisoner property package.
These would be tagged and bagged replicating the genuine packages by those external associates, in this case those being Pinnington and Midgley. They would then ensure their fake packages containing drugs and contraband beat the genuine packages being transferred from one prison to another. They had a network of inmates able to retrieve and distribute items on their behalf.
The group’s items were found to contain ketamine and cannabis as well as synthetic drugs such as spice and nicotine, in packages totalling tens of thousands of pounds.
With evidence gathered, officers swooped in and arrested Pinnington following a visit to Murphy at HMP Garth in Lancashire on 21 April 2024.
A few months later, Midgley was arrested at her home in West Yorkshire.
Bank transactions highlighted hundreds and thousands of pounds worth of transactions through Midgley’s account.
With evidence stacked against the group, they all pleaded guilty following hearings at Sheffield Crown Court.
Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent from the Prison Crime Team said:
“Those involved in smuggling drugs into prisons are not just breaking the law, they are deliberately destabilising the prison environment, exploiting vulnerable people and fuelling violence, intimidation and criminality.
“Our team will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle networks and those at the heart of the conspiracy and ensure that those responsible face justice.
“We will continue to work closely with prison staff and partner agencies to stop drugs entering facilities and protect both inmates and those working inside.
“I hope this sentencing sends a strong message to anyone who thinks they can jeopardise people’s safety.”
The following defendants appeared at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday and were sentenced :
Murphy, of HMP Manchester was sentenced to six years.
Horne, of HMP Lindholme was sentenced to four years.
Pinnington of HMP New Hall was sentenced to five years and six months.
Midgley of Halifax Road, Ripponden was sentenced to 32 months.