Possession of a mobile phone and weapon in prison - NFA

Case study summary

Our client contacted us from prison after he was told that he would be interviewed in relation being in possession of a mobile phone and an improvised weapon while in prison.

We represented him at his interview and police were left with no choice but to end their case.

Case study

Our client's cell was searched as a part of a routine inspection. During this search prison officers found a mobile phone concealed in his underwear and a metal spike with a piece of cloth attached to it was found on the window sill of his cell.

We questioned the investigating officer before the interview to find out more information about the case. We were able to find out that no forensics had been done on the weapon and that the phone had not been downloaded. The officer also suggested that there was very little interest on the side of the investigation to do either of these things.

We advised our client as to the case against him and drafted a prepared statement denying the offences he was accused of, which was read out on his behalf at the start of the interview.

The police continued their investigation for a number of months before eventually conceding that they did not have the evidence to successfully prosecute this case. As such, they took no further action.