Sheffield trio attempted to smuggle phones and extremist material into South Yorkshire prison
“The content found on the USBs and on Wood’s device was extreme, violent and divisive. Anyone seeking to share such material will be brought to justice.”
Three people from Sheffield have been sentenced for conspiring to bring prohibited items into a prison following an investigation by counter terrorism police.
Rhea Wood and Mohammed Abdo conspired with a serving prisoner, Abdullah Mohammed, to smuggle illicit items into HMP Lindholme, South Yorkshire, in May 2023.
The items were intercepted by prison staff and included mobile phones, Sim cards and eight USB sticks.
The USB sticks were found to have extremist material including radical sermons that encouraged violence, according to an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, with support from HM Prison and Probation Service and South Yorkshire Police.
Personal photos and details also found on the devices meant that police were able to trace the items back to those responsible.
Wood, Abdo and Mohammed all pleaded guilty.
Wood, aged 36, and Mohammed, 33, were sentenced yesterday, (Friday, July 17, at Sheffield Crown Court and received 18 months imprisonment with Mohammed’s sentence suspended for two years.
Abdo, 36, was sentenced in December 2025 to 15 months imprisonment.
In a separate court case, Rhea Wood pleaded guilty to dissemination of terrorist publications concerning videos of ISIS propaganda that she shared on Pinterest.
She was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment and will be subject to a ten-year terrorism notification order on release from prison.
Det Chf Supt James Dunkerley, head of counter terrorism policing North East said: “The content found on the USBs and on Wood’s device was extreme, violent and divisive. Anyone seeking to share such material will be brought to justice.
"The public can help us with our mission to tackle extremist content. If you come across or hear anyone discussing potential terrorist material, please report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.”
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Lord Timpson, minister for prisons, probation and reducing reoffending, said: "This case sends a clear message that anyone attempting to smuggle illicit items into our prisons will be caught and brought to justice.
“Thanks to the swift actions of prison staff, extremist material, mobile phones and other prohibited items were stopped from entering HMP Lindholme, helping to protect the safety and security of the prison.
"I pay tribute to our vigilant staff and counter terrorism policing colleagues, whose close partnership ensured those responsible have been held to account. We will continue working relentlessly to stop criminals undermining the security of our prisons."
Rhea Wood, aged 36, currently of HMP New Hall, was charged with dissemination of terrorist publications, contrary to Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 and conspiring to bring a prohibited article into prison.
She pleaded guilty to the terrorism offence on April 25, 2025 and was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment, with an extended year on licence on October 16, 2025. She will also be subject to a terrorism notification order for 10 years on release from prison.
She pleaded guilty to the conspiracy offence on June 30, 2026, and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. This will run concurrently to the sentence for the terrorism offence.
Abdullah Mohammed, aged 33, of Roe Lane, Burngreave, was charged with conspiring to bring a prohibited article into prison.
He pleaded guilty at a hearing on June 30 and was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, suspended for two years.
Mohammed Abdo, aged 36, of Oxford Street, Upperthorpe, was charged with conspiring to bring a prohibited article into prison.
Abdo was recalled to prison in July 2023 due to a breach of licence conditions. He pleaded guilty on June 12, 2025, and was sentenced on December 1, 2025, to 15 months imprisonment.