A BULLINGDON inmate who had already been caught hiding a mobile phone in prison twice was caught a third time by prison guards, this time stashing the prohibited device up his backside.

Abdul Adan, of HMP Bullingdon, was jailed for eight and a half years at Oxford Crown Court in September 2012 for wounding with intent and robbery.

The 26-year-old was released in licence but was then recalled to the prison near Bicester, after which he was caught with a mobile phone in his cell on two occasions – March 28 and June 16.

He was later sentenced for these offences, and returned to Oxford Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for another – third – offence of having a prohibited item in prison.

The court heard staff became suspicious on August 10 and entered his cell.

Adan denied having the phone but when they pulled out a metal detector wand they soon discovered the device.

The metal detector picked up a signal which led to Adan presenting the device to guards, who found it fully functional and protected by a blue plastic glove. He went on to admit his guilt before being sentenced.

In mitigation, Graham Bennett said his client had only used the phone to stay in contact with his girlfriend and had no other nefarious intentions.

He said: “It is the third time in a short time.

"He told police a little about why he agreed to look after that phone.

“He had been emotionally depressed about a miscarriage his girlfriend had.

“He was not able to see her and took the opportunity to use that phone.”

Sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb warned that using phones in prison was ‘a danger to the prison system and all those that work in within it.'

Adan was handed a 12-month prison term and must pay a victim surcharge.

The phone was also made forfeit and will be destroyed.