A prisoner convicted of murder was found using an unauthorized iPhone to communicate with a prison officer and others while serving a life sentence in a prison in the North East. Mitchell Ingham, who received his life sentence in 2016, engaged in illicit communication using the illicit device at HMP Deerbolt in County Durham. Ingham, aged 25, interacted with a female prison officer and expressed interest in another inmate during his communication activities.
Ellis Eyles, a 24-year-old prison officer from Darlington, faces sentencing for her involvement in the offenses next month. Ingham, now held at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire, appeared in court where he admitted to possessing and using the mobile phone unlawfully. The discovery of the iPhone and charger hidden in a cabinet during a search in a prisoner’s cell at HMP Deerbolt in June 2023 led to Ingham’s connection to the device through messages and photos found on it.
In addition to communicating with the prison officer, Ingham also interacted with family members and other individuals using the phone. During one instance, he inquired about the location of another prisoner, expressing intentions of harm. Ingham, who had prior criminal convictions, was sentenced to life in 2016 for the murder of Dominic Doyle in Manchester.
Defense lawyer Jillian Newton mentioned that Ingham, not eligible for parole until 2028, had shown remorse for his actions and aimed to avoid similar situations in the future. Despite the court being informed that other inmates might have accessed the mobile phone as well, Ingham was given a nine-month prison term to be served consecutively with his existing life sentence.
