Jail for man who sentdrug letters to prison

A MAN responsible for sending five letters to a prison with a Class C drug secreted inside has himself ended up behind bars.

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday that prison officers intercepted the envelopes between June and October 2008 at New Hall Prison, Wakefield, after becoming suspicious about them.

Tests showed in among cigarette papers they contained small amounts of the opiate buprenorphine, which is used as a heroin substitute.

Jonathan Devlin, prosecuting, told the court the letters were sent to two recipients but were traced back to Stewart Richmond through his fingerprints and his handwriting.

Mark McKone, representing Richmond, said the letters were sent “out of misguided loyalty to his girlfriend who was experiencing problems in custody”.

Richmond, 32 of Birdsall Gardens, Armley, Leeds, was jailed for a total of 30 months. He admitted five charges of conveying listed articles into prison. He was also sentenced for affray, possessing an offensive weapon, theft and attempted theft after being convicted by a jury at a trial last month.

Jean Shackleton, 34, formerly of Upper Woodview Place, Beeston, Leeds, who was also found guilty of affray and admitted theft and attempted theft, was given a 12 months prison sentence suspended for two years with supervision and to attend drug rehabilitation for six months.

Mr Devlin said Shackleton stole some cans of beer from a shop and later returned for more but was challenged by the shopkeeper. Richmond then joined in a “vicious struggle” with the woman who was struck about the head and body before she eventually let go when Richmond produced a knife.