Express & Star

Killer Willenhall arsonist Aiden Elmore caught with phones in prison

Killer Aiden Elmore was caught with mobile phones in prison while on remand for murdering a pensioner after starting a blaze outside his flat, it can be revealed today.

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Prison officers at the young offenders' institution Brinsford, near Featherstone, discovered two mobile phones and a charger in a routine search of his cell on August 30.

Elmore was awaiting his trial at the time for the murder of Victor Moore who died while trying to escape the fire, started by Elmore, outside the 68-year-old's flat in Southey Close, Short Heath.

Elmore had set up a barricade of wheelie bins to prevent residents leaving. He was sentenced to life, with a minimum of 21 years fixed to be served. He appeared via video link at Cannock Magistrates Court where he admitted having the phones and charger.

He had wanted the phones to contact his relatives 'for personal reasons', said Mr Giles Rowden, prosecuting. The court was told his solicitor refused to attend the hearing.

Elmore was given a total of 14 weeks in prison, to run concurrently with his life sentence. The magistrates also ordered the forfeit and destruction of the phones.

The case was held up for 90 minutes after Elmore refused to leave his cell. After Elmore was sentenced for murder, the mother of his ex-girlfriend Lauren Wellings revealed he had written to them from prison claiming he was innocent.

When he had started the blaze that killed Mr Moore, Elmore, who had been drinking and taking drugs, then started garden fires in Crab Lane en route to the Wychbold Way home of

Wellings' mother Sarah Bryce in nearby New Invention, where he set fire to wheelie bins placed next to patio windows. Miss Bryce, speaking after Elmore was jailed, told the Express & Star: "My family has stood by Aiden all year until we saw the CCTV.

"I told him that the truth will come out and that if he was found guilty he would have to face the consequences."

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