Trio sentenced after admitting offences relating to phone use in prison

A serving prisoner has been handed a further sentence after admitting the criminal use of a mobile phone inside HMP Highpoint in Suffolk.

Karl Tulloch, aged 35, formerly of Northampton, was charged alongside Jamie-Lee Robertshaw, aged 34, and Sharon Langstaff, aged 52, with transmitting, or causing to transmit, any image or sound from inside a prison by electronic communication for simultaneous reception outside a prison between May 10, 2020, and November 25, 2020.

Tulloch was also charged with one count of possession of a mobile phone inside a prison. He is currently serving eleven-months after being recalled to prison.

After pleading guilty at Northampton Crown Court on July 8, on August 11 Tulloch was sentenced to a total of 15 months for four counts relating to the illegal phone use, plus a further nine months for the possession charge, to be served consecutively, making a total of a further 24 months in custody.

Robertshaw, of Ellis Way, Northampton, had also entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to a 14-month community order with a requirement to complete six months of mental health treatment and 20 days of rehabilitation activity, plus a two-month electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am daily.

She was also given a further two-month community order for breach of a previous conditional discharge.

Langstaff, of Malcolm Road, Northampton, also admitted the charge and was sentenced to a 14-month community order with a requirement to complete six months of mental health treatment and 20 days of rehabilitation activity, plus a two-month electronically monitored curfew between 8pm and 6am daily.

All three were also ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Scott Allan, of the Serious and Organised Crime Team at Northamptonshire Police, said: “After receiving information to suggest Karl Tulloch was using an illegal phone from within HMP Highpoint, Northamptonshire Police worked with the prison service to disrupt and prevent his criminal activity, and bring proceedings against those involved.

“The criminal use of phones in prison poses a significant risk to the safety and security of those within the prison estate as well as those in the community. Our Force will pursue opportunities to prosecute those who continue to offend, whether they are in the community or in prison, with the support of our partner agencies to ensure the safety and protection of others.”

A fourth person charged in connection with the case, Kathryn Fraser-Turner, aged 50, of Bridgemere Close, Westcroft, Milton Keynes, will appear in court for sentencing on October 28.

A fifth person, a Coventry woman aged 35, is due to stand trial in November.