Suspicious Pot Noodle led to downfall of prison gang jailed for 25 years

A female prison officer who attempted to smuggle drugs into Lindholme Prison near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, using a Pot Noodle container, is among ten individuals sentenced for their involvement in a criminal drug conspiracy. The scheme was exposed when police discovered the drugs in the snack pot belonging to prison officer Victoria Sked.

Following her arrest, a six-year investigation was launched by South Yorkshire Police into the smuggling ring. It was found that substances including MDMA, steroids, cannabis, and spice were being smuggled into the prison along with mobile phones, facilitated by the corrupt officer.

The operation was uncovered after officers searched Sked and found a Pot Noodle containing two cling film packages of cannabis on 20 August 2018. Further searches revealed that the then 26 year old had more class B drugs, MDMA, steroids, mobile phones, tobacco, and a phone SIM card.

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A search of her home led to the discovery of 17 mobile phones, five wraps of cannabis, and over £7,900 in cash. Officers also found 332 sheets of paper soaked in spice, intended for smoking, at her residence.

The investigation subsequently revealed further evidence linking others to the smuggling network, including four ex-prisoners. Seven out of the eleven convicted were also found guilty of money laundering.

Prisoner Jack McGlen orchestrated a drug selling operation within the prison, with assistance from his partner Alicia Harrison who was aiding him from outside. On Friday, December 6, 10 out of the 11 defendants were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court.

The smugglers received a combined total of 25 years and five months in prison. Among those sentenced were Victoria Sked, 32, who was imprisoned for three years and 11 months for drug smuggling, money laundering, and smuggling mobile phones and SIM cards into prison.

Those sentenced were:

Victoria Sked, 32, was jailed for three years and 11 months for drug smuggling, money laundering, and smuggling mobile phones and SIM cards into prison.

Gareth Roberts, 38, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for drug smuggling and possession of a prohibited article while he was a prison inmate.

Robert Williams, 35, was jailed for one year and 10 months for drug smuggling and possession of a mobile phone while he was a prison inmate.

Simie McGinley, 30, was jailed for one-and-a-half years for smuggling cannabis, spice, steroids, mobile phones and SIM cards into prison and money laundering.

McGinley’s partner Ayesha Martin, 30, was jailed for three-and-a-half years for money laundering and smuggling drugs, mobile phones and SIM cards into prison.

Jack McGlen, 33, was jailed for four years for drug smuggling, money laundering, and possession of a mobile phone while an inmate.

McGlen’s partner Alicia Harrison, 27, was given a 21-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months for smuggling steroids and money laundering.

Darren Morgan, 45, was jailed for four years and 10 months for smuggling spice, money laundering and possession of diamorphine and cocaine with intent to supply.

Adam Kirk, 34, was jailed for two years and four months for smuggling cannabis, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, without insurance and while over the specified limit for drugs.

Abigail Carter, 24, was given a 16-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for smuggling cannabis and money laundering.

Diane Monks, 46, of Highfield Villas, Leeds, also pleaded guilty to smuggling cannabis and spice. She will be sentenced on Friday, December 13.

South Yorkshire Police’s DC Scott Jarvis said: "They all played their part in creating this elaborate web of drug smuggling and money laundering that they thought was intangible."

Adding: "It is thanks to the hard work of this unit in bringing the conspirators of these crimes to justice."

Prisons minister Lord James Timpson said: “We inherited prisons where drug-taking is rife, fuelled by the work of organised criminal gangs.

“If our prisons are to create better citizens and not better criminals, we must bear down on the illicit drugs trade.

“I would like to thank the police for their work, alongside the prison service’s Counter Corruption Unit, in bringing this gang to justice.

“While the overwhelming majority of our staff are brave and decent public servants, we work alongside the police to catch the minority who are not.”

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