Two men who conspired to throw drugs and mobile phones over a wall and into Maidstone Prison have been jailed.

Plain clothes patrols followed Simeon Theodule of Lillechurch Road, Dagenham and Bernard Omolafe of Cherbury Close, Thamesmead, after they were seen acting suspiciously in County Road on Tuesday, June 15 2017.

Both men were arrested after officers seized a number of packages outside HMP Maidstone.

They were later found to contain a new psychoactive substance, commonly known as Spice, eight grams of cannabis and a number of mobile phones, leads, chargers and headphones.

Staff inside the prison also seized a mobile phone, which had been packaged and thrown over the wall.

When it was sent for forensic tests Theodule’s fingerprints were found on cardboard packaging.

Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, Theodule, 27, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to convey drugs and prohibited items into a prison.

He also admitted two further charges of supplying cannabis and for conveying a phone into a prison.

Omolafe, 32, denied two counts of conspiracy to convey drugs and prohibited items into a prison, but was found guilty following a trial.

All the offences took place between April and June 2017.

Sentencing them both on Friday, May 25, Judge Julian Smith said: "In the prison establishment, the opportunities for bullying, control and causing debt are greater. Controlled substances in this environment are especially serious. There is no option but an immediate custodial sentence."

Theodule was sentenced to two years and two months in prison Omolafe received 1 year and 10 months.

Detective Sergeant Dan Barker said: "When Theodule was being arrested his phone was still receiving calls from an inmate telling him he was heading to the prison yard, in anticipation of drugs being thrown over the wall.

"Kent Police takes the supply of drugs and mobile phones into prison extremely seriously. When these prohibited articles get into the hands of prisoners they fuel violence, medical emergencies and also lead to further crimes being committed, both inside and outside the prison estate."