A YOUNG man who was found hiding a mobile phone in his cell at Deerbolt Prison has been sentenced in court.

Michael Crosdale, 20, was serving time at the young offenders institute in Barnard Castle in March when a room search uncovered a mobile phone disguised as a BMW key fob, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court heard today (Wednesday, September 24).

Crosdale, now of Valley View, Bradford, pleaded guilty to possessing the item without authority.

District Judge Martin Walker said it was unusual that the incident had not been dealt with internally and he handed Crosdale a 12-month conditional discharge and told him to pay a £15 victim surcharge.