Prisoner caught hiding cannabis in 'bum cheeks' escapes punishment by court

Magistrates determine time spent in segregation is enough

A serving prisoner who was caught hiding cannabis in his ‘bum cheeks’ has been told he won’t be punished by the court.

Anthony John Richard Lyons appeared at Douglas Courthouse where he admitted possessing the Class B drug.

A charge of possessing cannabis with intent to supply was dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Lyons, who is serving a 12-year-sentence, was searched by prison officers on 21 December last year – they recovered 28.4 grams of cannabis in 11 individual wraps.

The prosecutor told the court the drug had a prison value of £2,840 but a street value, on the outside, of £120.

Lyons’ advocate said the 35-year-old’s actions at the prison had seen him placed under ‘Rule 40’ which meant he was moved to the segregation wing for 30 days.

He was confined to his cell for 24 hours a day, had no TV, no association with other prisoners, no access to the gym and restricted phone calls.

The cannabis, the advocate said, was a birthday gift due to an ‘influx of drugs in the prison’ at the time.

Lyons, he claimed, had started smoking cannabis at the age of five, and drinking alcohol from the age of seven, before becoming dependent on drugs and alcohol as a teenager.

This meant he still had ‘cravings’ for the drug the advocate added.

Passing sentence Magistrates said they felt the time Lyons had spent in segregation was punishment enough and imposed no separate penalty.

Ordering the forfeiture and destruction of the cannabis they told him: “We’re pleased to hear you’re improving yourself in prison. Good luck.”