JAILED: Son who masterminded cocaine-selling ring from inside Swinfen Hall prison while mother dealt on outside
A son who masterminded a cocaine-selling ring from inside a Black Country prison, while his mother dealt drugs on the outside, has been jailed for nine years.
Sharon McKeown would travel to Liverpool and buy Class A drugs as part of the illegal business with her son Reece Doulay and his accomplice Danny Stenson.
Doulay generated funds for the cocaine by selling legal highs – which McKeown had helped to smuggle – in Swinfen Hall prison where the two men were both serving sentences.
The trio were caught after West Midlands Police monitored calls made from 24-year-old Doulay; where plans and directions were given to his mother.
When McKeown was arrested on her return from Liverpool on November 27, 2014, she was found with 1oz of high purity cocaine hidden in her body.
Stenson, 28, who was released from HMP Swinfen Hall in the October, was arrested only weeks later on November 12, 2014, with over £4,000 in cash for the purchase of cocaine.
McKeown, aged 47, of Stilthouse Grove, Rubery, was convicted of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between January 2014 and May 2015. She was sentenced to 12 years at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.
Stenson, of Leyfield Road, Liverpool, was jailed for nine years after being found guilty of the same offence.
Doulay, of Stilthouse Lane, Rubery, pleaded guilty and was jailed for seven-and-half years.
Investigating officer Sergeant Alan Teague, from Birmingham South Police, said: "All three played a leading role in the plans to sell cocaine on the streets of the West Midlands.
"Doulay and Stenson hatched the idea in prison and McKeown, who was still in regular contact with her son, was a willing participant on the outside.
"Through detailed investigation work we were able to bring this enterprise to a close. We have all seen the devastating impact that drugs can have on our communities and these sentences should act as a strong warning not to engage in the illegal trade."
Prisons Minister Andrew Selous said: "This is another example of how hard police and prison staff work to prevent drugs entering prison.
"This conviction sends the clear message that those found smuggling drugs inside will be severely punished.
"There are already a range of robust measures in place to detect drugs but we will continue to do more to ensure prisons tackle this problem."