A MAN has been handed more time behind bars after prison officers found a "staggering" amount of drugs in his cell.

Wade Chambers, of no fixed abode, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday for sentence.

The 27-year-old previously admitted possessing synthetic cannabinoid spice with intent to supply, as well as having an unauthorised mobile phone, whilst in custody at HMP Berwyn.

Richard Edwards, prosecuting, told the court that in August 2020 the defendant's cell was searched.

A total of 11 A4 sheets of paper containing spice were found under his bed - the value of which came to between £3,000 to £5,500.

A mobile phone was also found to be concealed in a stereo, with an Apple ID registered to an address he used to live at.

When questioned he admitted the items were his and upon examination, it was considered that the phone was a "wing phone" - a device used by numerous inmates to contact family and friends, as opposed to using it for criminal activity.

Then in January of the following year, after moving to a different part of the prison, Chambers' cell was searched again.

And this time officers found spice paper with his fingerprints on in a cardboard box.

The material was worth £10,000 within the prison environment.

Mr Edwards told the court the defendant had 16 previous convictions for 29 offences, including possession of drugs and conspiracy to supply drugs.

Steven Ball, defending, told the court: "He was bedding down to a long sentence imposed by Grimsby Crown Court.

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"The root of his offending did lie in his addiction to spice.

"That addiction led him to doing whatever he could to keep his personal consumption going.

"That was doomed to fail in a strict and well-run prison."

He added his client had made efforts to turn away from spice and had been successful for the first time in many years.

Judge Niclas Parry told Chambers the prison value of the illicit materials he had in his cell was "staggering."

He added: "The presence of drugs and phones causes serious damage.

"They damage the welfare of the staff, the welfare and safety of the inmates - and they cause bullying, violence and a dreadful impact on discipline."

Judge Parry said he accepted the defendant's basis of plea, in that he was "holding onto those drugs to pass onto someone else" so that he could be rewarded to fund his own drug dependency, but said his role had nevertheless been a "vital" one.

Chambers was jailed for 14 months for the offences.

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