A prison inmate, Mitchell Ingham, serving a life sentence for murder in a North East prison, was found to have used a smuggled iPhone to communicate with a female prison officer and others. Ingham, aged 25, had been using the unauthorized iPhone at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham. He referred to the prison officer as “babe” in messages, with the officer reciprocating with a “miss you” response.
The prison officer, Ellis Eyles, 24, from Darlington, is set to be sentenced for her involvement in the incidents. Ingham also inquired about another inmate he wanted harm to befall. Ingham, currently at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire, appeared in court and admitted to possessing and using a mobile phone in prison.
During a search in a cell at HMP Deerbolt in June 2023, an iPhone hidden behind a false panel was discovered, leading authorities to Ingham through messages and photos on the device. Ingham had identified himself as ‘Mitch’ in one message and had communicated with Eyles, who was later arrested.
The prosecutor revealed that Ingham engaged in illicit communication, including FaceTime calls, with his co-accused. The court was told about specific instances of communication, including Ingham receiving a message from Eyles expressing affection. Ingham had also contacted family members and others through the phone, seeking information on another prisoner at the facility.
Ingham, with prior convictions, was handed a life sentence in 2016 for a murder in Manchester. His defense lawyer highlighted his remorse and efforts to rehabilitate while incarcerated. Ingham was given a nine-month prison term, to be served alongside his existing life sentence.