An Ipswich man has been jailed for 10 months after attempting to throw a rucksack filled with mobile phones and other banned items into Norwich Prison.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich Prison. Photo: Steve AdamsNorwich Prison. Photo: Steve Adams (Image: Copyright Archant Norfolk 2015)

Leroy Clarke, aged 26 and of no fixed address, was arrested outside the perimeter fence of the prison on June 27 following a joint operation by officers from Norfolk Constabulary's Tactical Crime Unit, Her Majesty's Prison Service and the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit.

Clarke was confronted by officers and he was found in possession of a rucksack containing 29g of cannabis, two mobile phones, a sim card, three mobile phone chargers, two sets of headphones, two small bottles of alcohol and five packets of cigarette papers.

All the items had been wrapped in cling film and packed into socks.

Clarke pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and attempting to convey prohibited articles into a prison on behalf of a prisoner at Norwich Crown Court on September 29. He was later sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Detective Sergeant Paul Morton from Norfolk Constabulary's Tactical Crime Unit said: 'Clarke is the first person to be convicted under this legislation in the Eastern region and it should serve as a warning to others that we will seek to identify and prosecute those trying to get illicit items into our prisons by any means.'

Stew Kelly, Head of Security and Intelligence at HMP Norwich, added: 'We take a zero tolerance approach to any illicit items being conveyed into the prison establishment. Items such as drugs and mobile phones compromise the safety of staff and prisoners which has a wider impact on the local community.

'We will continue to build on the partnership work with Norfolk Police and ERSOU to target organised criminal activity.'