A PRISONER was found with thousands of pounds worth of drugs and mobile phones stashed in his cell.

Simon Davies, aged 44 and originally from Bolton, had his cell searched on Thursday, March 16 2016 and officers found a haul of around £19,000 worth of spice, cannabis with a street value of around £4,500, approximately £6,100 of heroin, cocaine with a street value of £1,500 and around £1,800 worth of steroids.

They also found 11 small mobile phones, SIM cards,

The items were found by prison staff hidden in the cell with the help of a prison dog.

It is believed the items were smuggled in and were destined to be sold to other prisoners.

Davies was handed a six-year jail term on Tuesday this week at Preston Crown Court which he will have to serve in addition to his current six-year sentence he was handed in January 2016 for burglary.

DC Justin Singleton from Preston CID said: “The items found in Davies’ cell could have been extremely dangerous and it is lucky that they were seized before they were sold on.

“I am pleased with the result and hope it sends a clear message to criminals thinking of either smuggling illegal items or drugs into prison that they will get caught and brought to justice."