A DRUG addict, who was caught about to hurl drugs and mobile phones into a prison, has been jailed himself.

Nathan Formoy was by spotted prison officers patrolling Erlestoke Prison’s perimeter who found him skulking in undergrowth clutching a package containing two mobiles and some cannabis, Swindon Crown Court was told.

Claire Marlow, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court how staff at the prison monitoring the CCTV system noticed people throwing items over the fence from the outside.

She said the police were contacted and they attended the prison on Monday, October 13, when another delivery was expected.

Officers patrolled the perimeter fence and found Formoy in the undergrowth.

When the 34-year-old was questioned he told police he had received just two benefit payments in nine weeks and was desperate for cash. He said he had been offered £50 to make the drop at the prison.

Formoy, of Inglesham Road, Swindon, pleaded guilty to possessing class C drugs with intent to supply.

Andrew Hobson, defending, said his client had been released from prison just a few weeks earlier having served around half of a three-year term for dealing heroin.

He said his client had failed to get benefits after his release and foolishly accepted the offer of £50 to throw the drugs over the wall.

As a result he said he had been returned to custody to serve another 28 days of the outstanding half of the three year sentence.

In the past he said Formoy’s problem had been drug addiction but he had managed to get off heroin.

While he understood the problems of drugs in prison he said the amount he was to throw over the wall was only enough for three or four spliffs.

Mr Hobson urged the court to impose a suspended sentence saying his client and society would both benefit most from him being rehabilitated in the community.

But Judge Douglas Field said: “When I come to sentence you I take into account that this was a relatively small amount of herbal cannabis, about one and a half grams.

“I am going to give you full credit for pleading guilty notwithstanding the fact that you were caught red handed.

“You had a package containing two mobile phones and some cannabis. You accept you were to receive payment.”

He jailed him for 15 months and ordered the destruction of the drugs.