A man who admitted attempting to possess drugs in prison, together with offences of affray and theft, has been jailed for a total of seven years.

Twenty-five year-old Jonathan Edward Myers of Stevenson Court, Douglas appeared alongside 20 year-old Dean Anthony Whitehead, care of the prison, who was jailed for 18 months for affray and theft.

The court heard the incident which led to the affray and theft charges occurred in Tromode in June last year, when a group of young people were camping.

The pair forced their way into the tent of a 15 year-old girl and started to swear, causing her to feel intimidated and frightened.

The girl and a friend left the area but were followed by the two defendants who asked for, and took, two mobile phones from the girl. Both men were arrested and subsequently charged.

As reported on Manx Radio yesterday, Myers also admitted two offences of attempting to possess cocaine and cannabis resin in the prison, after officers caught him using a home-made line and hook to try and retrieve a bag containing heroin, cocaine and cannabis resin. He initially denied any knowledge of the contents of the bag, but later admitted attempting to possess the cannabis and cocaine. A charge of attempting to possess heroin was withdrawn.

Sentencing Myers to six years in jail, Deemster Doyle said people who tried to get drugs into prison would be given lengthy custodial sentences, regardless of the quantity involved.

Myers' was given a further twelve month term, to run consecutively with the six years, for the other offences.

Earlier this week the Deputy Governor of the prison, Colin Ring, said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent to others and attempt to smuggle in controlled substances would not be tolerated. He said sniffer dogs checked all visitors coming into the prison and there were regular sweeps of the perimeter wall and searches of inmates cells when required.

Mr Ring added the Island's new prison in Jurby would offer greater protection against would-be drug smugglers as it was surrounded by a 5.2 metre high external perimeter wall, constructed from cast concrete.

(Picture: Douglas courthouse).