BRADFORD people are among nearly 20 convicted for their roles in what has been described as the largest prison drugs conspiracy in the UK - believed to be worth well over £1m.

The investigation began back in 2019, after South Yorkshire Police received information that drugs and other unlawful items were being smuggled into HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.

Police swooped on the prison and arrested a mental health nurse as she arrived for her shift.

What officers found led to the unravelling of the group’s criminal enterprise.

The nurse was 37-year-old Amy Hatfield who disclosed that she had “some stuff” on her when she was arrested at the prison.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Amy Hatfield worked at HMP Lindholme as a nurse

When officers searched Hatfield’s belongings, they found multiple wraps of cannabis, tobacco, anabolic steroids, vials of liquid, MDMA, phones and chargers.

She also had in her possession several bottles of ‘Ribena’ - which in fact contained a liquid form of the synthetic cannabinoid spice.

Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent said: “The prison value of the liquid spice recovered from Hatfield that morning was estimated by prison experts to be around £1 million.

“That quantity of drugs found on one person going into the prison was undoubtedly shocking and set alarm bells ringing that this was part of something much bigger.

“As we started to dig into Hatfield’s associates and connections, little did we know that we would uncover such large-scale criminality.”

Through detailed examination of Hatfield’s phones, movements and banking, co-conspirators were identified, arrested and charged with various offences linked to the smuggling of substances and phones into prisons for large sums of cash.

The total prison value of drugs recovered over the course of the nearly four-year investigation was well over £1 million.

A 19-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court concluded yesterday (April 27), with 58-year-old Paul Whittingham, of Halifax Road, Bradford, found guilty of money laundering – the last of the criminal group to face legal proceedings.

The jury found Whittingham not guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).

DS said: “This investigation has spanned nearly four years and the amount of work that has gone into building this complex case to present to the courts is considerable.

“I want to recognise the dedication and patience of the jury throughout this lengthy trial process, which has taken nearly five months.  

“As a result of our tireless determination to uncover this criminal network, we have disrupted and dismantled an incredibly dangerous drugs operation that posed a significant risk to the prison population, it’s staff and the wider community.”

Sentencing will take place at Sheffield Crown Court later this year.

The smuggling ring in full:

  • Lucy Whittingham, 36, of Bradford, pleaded guilty to money laundering
  • Natalie Williamson, 35, of West Royd Drive, Shipley, pleaded guilty to money laundering and being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs
  • Kora Haley, 30, of Holme Lane, Bradford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering
  • Aneeze Williamson, 29, of HMP Leeds, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones)
  • Amy Hatfield, 37, of HMP Newhall, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering
  • Audrey Needham, 56, of Comfrey Close, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering
  • William Francis, 56, of Hogan Gardens, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (heroin), possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (spice and cannabis), and conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs)
  • Lydia Pinnington, 22, of Clieves Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering. She appeared alongside Paul Whittingham on trial charged with conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs) and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones). She was found not guilty of those charges
  • Joseph Whittingham, 34, of HMP Leeds, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones).
  • Jordan Needham, 30, of HMP Dovegate, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones)
  • Courtney Ward, 26, of Rose Ash Lane, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs
  • Deborah Stoddard, 56, of Shorefields Village, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, two counts of conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs and knives), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering
  • Anthony Campbell, 37, of HMP Dovegate, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), and conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones)
  • Lee Holmes, 44, of Sylvia Terrace, Stanley, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering
  • Leighton Kemp, 27, of Erewash Gardens, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey List A articles into prison (drugs), conspiracy to convey List B articles into prison (phones), and money laundering