A BULLINGDON prisoner tried to conceal a mobile phone inside himself as officers raided his cell.

Reece Haywood-Gray, 27, was one of three inmates at the prison near Bicester who was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

He appeared via videolink alongside Devon Thompson, 42, and Mark Carville, 37, who were all be sentenced for one count each of having without lawful authority a prohibited item while in prison.

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The court heard that when officers raided Haywood-Gray’s cell on September 20 last year he went to extraordinary lengths in a bid to cover up any wrongdoing.

Prosecutor Julian Lynch explained: “He appeared to try to secrete an item in his buttocks, he was challenged and handed over a Zanco mobile phone.”

He added that an investigation of the phone showed contacts from both his regular, submitted contacts list and non-recognised numbers.

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In the case of Thompson, Mr Lynch said that officers searched his cell in November and found a phone hidden under a pillow, while Carville had tried to hide a mobile phone in a sock on a window sill.

During the sentencing hearing for Haywood-Gray, defence barrister John Bryant said that his client complained that there were only four phones being served at the prison for some 160 prisoners.

Sentencing Judge Peter Ross derided the continued possession and use of mobile phones while in prison.

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He said: “They cause the bullying of other prisoners, they create debts, alliances and control.

“They are truly corrosive to the good order and discipline of our prisons which have enough difficulties to deal with as it is.”

All three inmates were handed prison sentences that will run consecutive to their existing penalties.

Thompson was handed seven months in jail while Carville and Haywood-Gray must both serve a further eight months inside. Each of the seized phones were also made forfeit and will be destroyed.