A MAN'S failed attempt to get drugs into the hands of prisoners resulted in him 'going on the run' in Spain, a court heard.

Elliott Brew, of Bramblefield Way in Liverpool, appeared at Caernarfon Crown Court for sentence on Thursday.

The 30-year-old had admitted two offences at a previous hearing - namely conveying prohibited articles into HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, in 2019.

Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, told the court that on four occasions between November and December that year, Brew and another man travelled to the prison in a white Ford Transit.

On each occasion Brew, the passenger, would get out of the vehicle and throw packages into the prison grounds, where inmates would be congregated.

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Officers only managed to seize a package on the last of the four occasions.

Brew and his co-defendant were caught at a petrol station in Chester soon after and both were arrested.

The co-accused received a seven month prison term as he was deemed to be in a lesser role having been the driver, not the 'thrower'.

Brew had 24 previous convictions for 58 offences; two of which were drugs related.

In May 2023, he was convicted in Spain for offences including robbery and possessing a firearm - for which he received a suspended sentence, Mr Rothwell added.

Frank Dillon, defending, told the court his client expected an immediate sentence of imprisonment, which he would "serve quietly," and was anxious to be reunited with his child.

The Leader: Elliott Brew (NWP)Elliott Brew (NWP) (Image: North Wales Police)Mr Dillon said: "In terms of his motivation for these offences, he'd racked up cannabis debts and when he couldn't pay, he was inveigled into this activity."

The court heard Brew "disappeared" to Spain, fearing for his safety after his last attempt to get drugs into the prison failed.

"It's the defendant's case that the [packages] were delivered to him ready-made," Mr Dillon added.

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"He wasn't the packer but he entirely accepts he was the thrower.

"He was acting under a degree of direction."

Judge Nicola Saffman told the defendant: "You said that following your failed attempt to throw this over the wall and the goods being recovered, certain people took great displeasure.

"You went 'on the run' from them. It's a shame, isn't it, that you didn't keep your head down whilst on the run - in Spain you were convicted of the firearms offence, resisting or obstructing police and robbery."

Judge Saffman jailed the defendant for two years and three months.