Glasgow man jailed over 'prison parcels' at HMP Shotts
A career criminal who tried to throw packages containing drugs and iPhones into the grounds of a high security prison, in Lanarkshire, has been jailed for more than five years.
A career criminal who tried to throw packages containing drugs and iPhones into the grounds of a high security prison, in Lanarkshire, has been jailed for more than five years.
James McCluskey, 30, was caught on CCTV cameras acting suspiciously in woodland just a few hundred yards from Shotts Prison in April 2016.
The High Court in Edinburgh heard on Monday how jail guards monitoring security cameras saw McCluskey moving towards the penal institution's perimeter fence.
But the crook, who has 25 previous convictions, suddenly looked "disturbed". He stopped and left the scene prompting staff in Shotts to call the police.
The court heard that when officers arrived, they discovered that McCluskey had left his jacket at the scene along with the packages which contained cocaine, painkillers and three smart phones.
The court also heard that within the jacket, detectives found a legal document which was issued to him following his release in January 2016 from a previous prison sentence. He was on licence and had 294 days to serve of that term left to serve.
The discovery allowed Police Scotland to track McCluskey to his home in Dennistoun, Glasgow, and he was brought into custody.
Prosecution lawyer Keith O'Mahony told the court: "Following the finding of documentation relating to the accused in the jacket left at the locus, police officers attended at the accused's home address.
"He was detained and taken to London Road Police station in Glasgow and made no comment to questions put to him."
The story emerged after McCluskey pleaded guilty to supplying cocaine and a prescription drug called Suboxone at Shotts on April 13 2016. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of trying to throw three iPhones into prison grounds on the same date at the same location.
Mr O'Mahony told the court that McCluskey was released from Shotts Prison from a previous prison sentence in January 2016.
However, he returned to the jail four months later and was spotted by staff in the jail lurking around outside.
Mr O'Mahony told Judge Lord McEwan: "At about 0945 hours on Wednesday April 13 2016, two prison officers were on duty within HM Prison Shotts monitoring CCTV cameras forming part of the prison security system when they saw the accused moving around within the wooded area referred to.
"He was seen to crouch over a white towel and to speak on a mobile phone. He was then lost to sight before re appearing some 15 minutes later.
"He moved towards the prison grounds and directly towards one of the CCTV cameras allowing his face to be seen. The accused was looking about to see if others were in the vicinity.
"There was no other reason for him to be travelling in the direction seen other than to approach the prison perimeter.
"The accused made his way to the prison perimeter wall carrying an item in each hand.
"From his actions and movements it appeared that he intended to throw the items over the prison wall.
"He appeared to be disturbed and made his way back into the wooded area."
Mr O'Mahony said police later made a search of the area where McCluskey was and found the items. The cocaine had a street value of ÂŁ160 and the pills were worth ÂŁ95.
Mr O'Mahony added: "If passed into the prison population, the drugs could realise between three and five times the values above."
McCluskey's defence advocate Lorraine Glancy told the court that her client got involved in the scam because he owed money to drug dealers.
She added: "It was a very ill thought out adventure."
Lord McEwan told McCluskey that he would have to serve the remaining 294 days of his previous conviction before he would start serving the sentence for his current conviction.
The judge said the McCluskey's total sentence was for five years and 294 days.