A man convicted of murder managed to use a hidden iPhone to make video calls and send messages to a prison officer and relatives while serving a life sentence in a prison in the North East.
Mitchell Ingham, sentenced to life in 2016 with a minimum term of 14 years for murder, was found to have been using the unauthorized device at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham. The 25-year-old used the illicit iPhone to communicate with a female prison officer and others.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that Ingham called the prison officer “babe” in one message, to which the officer responded with a message saying “miss you.”
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 whom he wanted to harm.
Presently serving his sentence at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire, Ingham appeared in Durham Crown Court and admitted guilt to charges related to possessing and using a mobile phone in prison.
Court records indicated that during a search in June 2023 at HMP Deerbolt, an iPhone and charger were discovered hidden behind a false panel in a cabinet in a prisoner’s cell. The phone was traced back to Ingham based on the content found on it.
Ingham had signed off one message as ‘Mitch’ and had also searched for himself online and exchanged messages with Eyles, who was arrested later at her home.
Prosecutor Antonia Adie revealed that Ingham engaged in illicit communication with his accomplices, including FaceTime calls. A FaceTime call lasting 37 minutes was made on June 10, 2023.
Ingham received messages from Eyles expressing “miss you” with kisses, and he referred to her as “babe” in one message. Adie disclosed that Ingham also used the phone to communicate with family members and “other individuals.” On July 25, 2023, he asked Eyles about the location of another prisoner in Deerbolt, indicating his intention to harm him.
The court learned that Ingham had two prior convictions for four offenses. In 2016, at the age of 15, he was given a life sentence for the murder of Dominic Doyle in the Manchester area.
According to reports from the Manchester Evening News, Ingham showed no remorse and appeared smiling during his sentencing hearing.
Ingham’s defense lawyer, Jillian Newton, mentioned that Ingham will not be eligible for parole until 2028. She highlighted his early guilty plea as his strongest mitigation and stated that he regrets his actions and does not want to repeat them.
Newton noted that Ingham has utilized his time in prison by taking courses. The court was informed that other inmates might have accessed the mobile phone as well.
In sentencing, Judge Nathan Adams imposed a nine-month prison term, to be served consecutively with Ingham’s life sentence.