AN HMP Bullingdon prisoner caught with a razor blade fused with a toothbrush in his cell claimed he had the weapon as a 'cry for help.'

William Jardine had already admitted one count of having in prison an unauthorised item.

The 34-year-old, now of HMP Pentonville, appeared via videolink at Oxford Crown Court yesterday.

Outlining the case prosecutor Cathy Olliver said prison guards went to Jardine's cell at the prison near Bicester on October 25 last year.

Jardine was found to have the makeshift weapon and he immediately surrendered it to guards once he had been caught.

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In mitigation at his sentencing hearing defence barrister Jane Brady said that her client had experienced 'serious threats' at the prison and had been subject to threats by Travellers at the prison.

She added that her client - has who has 59 previous offences recorded against him - was committed to turning his life around.

She said: "He says he wants to get his life back together, he comes to this court with a desperate cry for help."

Presiding Judge Peter Ross said he could impose a sentence of eight months for the offence or order a pre-sentence report to explore all sentencing options.

He asked Jardine if he wanted to be jailed or to adjourn the case for a report, and he chose the latter.

A report will now be commissioned by the National Probation Service to explore non-custodial rehabilitation options.

Jardine was remanded in custody in the meantime and the final sentencing date will be held at the same court on a date to be confirmed.