AN HMP Bullingdon inmate has had his stay extended after he was caught with a mobile phone in his jail cell.

Glen Mace, of the prison near Bicester, admitted the single count of possessing a prohibited article in prison as soon as he was rumbled.

The 36-year old was already serving a jail term of three years and four months for burglary, attempted burglary and fraud by false representation.

He was due to be released in August of this year but will instead be spending another six months in prison after he was caught with the phone.

At his sentencing on Tuesday, Oxford Crown Court heard that prison guards were first alerted to suspicious activity at about 2.50pm on October 5 last year.

Guards searched his cell, which he shared with another inmate, and found a bag stashed between a locker and a table.

Inside the bag they discovered the prohibited device, which Mace quickly admitted belonged to him.

On analysing the phone, prison officers discovered 41 text messages sent to a number of individuals.

Defending, John Waller, said that his client had only used the phone to contact friends and family and not to continue any illicit criminal enterprise from inside of his cell.

He added that he had otherwise been a model prisoner and had used his time inside to kick his drug habit and secure employment at the prison.

Sentencing Mace, Judge Andrew Goymer told the court: “It is a great pity that you have lost your release by having a mobile phone in prison, particularly because you were making good progress during your sentence.

“You had got a good job at the prison and tried to engage with drug courses and you have really quite set yourself back by doing it.”

Mace was handed a six-month jail term by the judge to run consecutive to his current sentence and must also pay a victim surcharge.

The phone was also forfeited.