Drug dealer caught with haul in prison cell

Stephen York was jailed for almost 20 years for drug offences

A drug dealer caught with a haul of illegal tablets stashed in a saltshaker just months into his lengthy prison term has been jailed for a further six months.

Stephen York, 44, was jailed for 19 years and 10 months in November 2023 for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

Almost four months later, prison officers found spice and more than 900 tablets hidden in a saltshaker and picture frame in his cell at HMP Northumberland.

York, previously of Killingworth in Newcastle, admitted possession with intent to supply Class B and C drugs in prison on the basis he was holding them for someone else.

Two prison officers conducted a full search of York's cell on 27 February 2024 and found wraps of tablets concealed inside a saltshaker, prosecutor Daisy Wrigley said.

Four sheets of paper that had been sprayed with drug known as spice, more tablets and two mobile phones were discovered in a picture frame, the court heard.

In total, there were 93 tablets of buprenorphine and 856 of bromazepam, both Class C drugs, Ms Wrigley said.

'Plague on prisons'

York's cell had been searched the week before and he appeared shocked to have been visited by officers again so soon, the court heard.

He told police he had been given the drugs to look after by someone he would not name and had had them for a week.

In mitigation, Tony Davis said York was new to the prison and had been pressured into holding the drugs.

But judge Tim Gittins said he would "not credit [York] with that amount of naivety" given his record, which included other drug possession offences as well as the conspiracy conviction for which he was serving his jail term.

He said the trade of drugs in prison was "pernicious" and "dangerous", providing a "source of power" for some and causing "violent and erratic behaviour" for those taking them.

The judge said spice in particular was a "plague on prisons".

York's six-month jail term would have to be served consecutive to his 19-year-and-10-month sentence, the judge said.