Prison officer jailed for supplying drugs into HMP Doncaster

A prison officer and two others been jailed for their involvement in smuggling drugs and illicit items into HMP Doncaster.
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Prison officer Rio Moran along with James Millington and Callum Reilly were part of a conspiracy to supply drugs and illicit items into a number of prisons, including HMP Doncaster, and launder the ill-gotten cash, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

South Yorkshire Police’s Prison Anti-Corruption Unit arrested Moran as she arrived for work in November 2020. A substantial amount of drugs and phones were found following a search at her home address.

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While officers were searching her home, Callum Reilly turned up and tried to post further contraband through the front door. This contraband was bound for HMP Doncaster.

Rio Moran, James Millington and Callum RileyRio Moran, James Millington and Callum Riley
Rio Moran, James Millington and Callum Riley

HMP Doncaster inmate James Millington was later identified as being the recipient of the items, and he was also arrested. His partner, Claire Anderson, was found to have assisted the conspiracy and was subsequently detained at her home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with drugs and phones at her property suspected to be bound for prison.

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Detective Constable Scott Jarvis said: “Our prisons are staffed predominantly with hard working officers who go about their business professionally despite the risks to themselves and colleagues on a daily basis.

“For the majority of staff, their number one aim is the safeguarding of inmates and colleagues, and to support the rehabilitation of those inmates. Any officers that fall outside of that and commit crime will be dealt with robustly along with any members of the public assisting that criminality.”

James MillingtonJames Millington
James Millington
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Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent, who led the investigation, added: “This is an example of the hard work and processes developed in conjunction with our prisons to allow us to quickly identify corruption and effectively deal with those responsible.

“South Yorkshire Police are committed to supporting our prison establishments.”

John Hewitson, Serco Prison Director at HMP Doncaster, said: “We expect the highest standards of behaviour from everyone who works in the prison and the vast majority of our people meet those standards, but this individual fell well short of what is expected.

“Serco has a zero tolerance approach to people breaking the law and we worked closely with the police on this operation to arrest them. There is no scenario where we will ever accept people bringing contraband into a secure prison establishment and we will continue to work with local police authorities to eradicate this type of risk.”

Callum RileyCallum Riley
Callum Riley
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All four defendants had previously admitted their roles in the conspiracy at Sheffield Crown Court between 20 and 22 September 2021, and all but Anderson were sentenced yesterday.

Moran, 30, of Godfrey Place, Halifax, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class B drugs into prison, conspiring to convey list B articles into prison and money laundering at the earlier hearing. She has been sentenced to two years behind bars.

Millington, 31, of HMP Leeds, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B and C drugs into prison between 2017 and 2020, conspiring to supply class B drugs into prison and conspiring to convey list B articles into prison. He has been jailed for seven years and nine months.

Moran and MillingtonMoran and Millington
Moran and Millington

Reilly, 30, of no fixed abode, but from the Stockport area, pleaded guilty to supplying a class B drug to Claire Anderson, conspiring to convey list B articles into prison and money laundering. Reilly been sentenced to 12 months behind bars.

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Anderson, 32, of Hazelwood Road, Stockport, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class B and C drugs into prison between 2017 and 2020, conspiring to supply Class B drugs into prison and conspiring to convey List B articles into prison at the hearing in September.

Anderson’s sentencing was adjourned, and she will further appear before the court on 25 March for sentencing.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.