Man who smuggled drugs to Peterborough prisoner via hug jailed

Matthew Tolcher gave crack cocaine and buprenorphine tablets to an an inmate at HMP Peterborough

A man who smuggled drugs to a prisoner has been jailed.

Matthew Tolcher, 34, handed crack cocaine and buprenorphine tablets to an inmate at HMP Peterborough.

He had given the inmate a prolonged handshake and hug to disguise the handover during a visit in March 2022.

Tolcher, from Stamford, Lincolnshire, was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday to one year and 10 months in jail for conveying a 'List A' prohibited article into prison.

Prison staff have since been praised after they spotted the exchange and promptly confiscated the drugs.

Det Con Chris Enright said: "This was a great spot by eagle-eyed prison staff and I hope it shows how seriously we take these offences.

"Far from bringing prohibited items into a prison, Tolcher now finds himself in prison for his actions."