A prison guard who smuggled mobile phones and related paraphernalia into a jail hidden inside a DVD player has been warned he faces being locked up.

Jake Belfield was employed at HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in June 2020 when the contraband was handed to a serving inmate.

The 31-year-old from Dover was later charged with two offences of misconduct in public office and during a hearing at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday (August 5) he pleaded guilty to both.

The first, committed between February 11 and June 8, 2020, stated that while acting as a prison officer he caused the transmission of a sound electronically within HMP Swaleside with simultaneous reception outside the prison.

The second charge relates to Belfield, of Elysium Park Close, Whitfield, giving what is known as 'List B' articles, namely four mobile devices, two SIM cards, an SD card and four charging leads, to prisoner Matthew Parsons on June 30, 2020.

Parsons, now released from jail and living in Bristol, was also in the dock, accused of possessing the same banned items, as well as causing a sound transmission from inside the category B men's prison.

However, the court allowed for the 34-year-old's plea and trial preparation to be adjourned for four weeks.

Sentencing of Belfield was also adjourned for the preparation of a report by the probation service and, although released on bail, he was warned he faces going into custody.

Judge Philip Statman told him: “These are very serious matters indeed and I have directed a pre-sentence report (PSR) be prepared.

“The fact I have directed a PSR in no way gives an indication as to what is to be done with you at the end of the day.

“What it does do is give the court an independent view of your background and the role you were playing while performing your duties.

“But these offences clearly pass the custody threshold.”

The offence of misconduct in public office carries a maximum jail term of life imprisonment.

Both Belfield and Parsons were released on bail, with a condition not to contact each other.

Parsons's next hearing will be on September 3, with Belfield expected to be sentenced on October 8.