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Paul Heath, a 48-year-old former maintenance contractor at HMP Liverpool, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison after a sniffer dog uncovered his elaborate scheme to smuggle drugs, tobacco, and even discuss weapons into the facility. Heath, of Brecon Avenue, Netherton, resorted to wearing a second pair of trousers under his uniform, using the hidden pockets to stash thousands of pounds worth of cannabis, while also taping contraband to his ankles. His desperate actions were driven by a crippling gambling addiction, which he sought to fund through hundreds of pounds received for each illicit delivery.
Heath's deception came to light on the morning of May 27 last year as he reported for work at Walton prison, employed by Amey. As he passed through security, a vigilant detection dog immediately "showed a lot of interest in him," as described by prosecutor Sarah Egan at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday.
A subsequent search of his rucksack revealed £425 in cash. Further investigation led to the discovery of a smartphone and a Nokia "burner" phone in his locker. Heath initially tried to deflect suspicion, protesting, "People share my locker. I don't know who shares my locker."
However, a more thorough personal search quickly unravelled his scheme. Two packages of cannabis resin were recovered from the pockets of a second pair of trousers worn discreetly beneath his outer clothing. Upon removing his boots, Heath also revealed parcels of tobacco and cigarette papers taped to his ankles, reports the Echo and Manchester Evening News.
When questioned about potential intimidation, Heath claimed he had faced threats to transport the items but refused to provide any names. The total quantity of narcotics confiscated amounted to 493g, with an estimated street value of between £2,465 and £4,930. Within the prison system, however, its worth would have been "up to 10 times" greater.
Further evidence from text messages on Heath's mobile phone showed that he had been actively organising the smuggling of forbidden items, including weapons, into the jail as early as February 2024. He later confessed to having successfully smuggled cannabis into his workplace on four separate occasions before his apprehension.
Heath had no prior convictions. His defence counsel, Callum Ross, explained that while Heath was a "willing volunteer" for financial gain, he was "clearly not the ringleader and was simply the courier." Ross detailed how Heath's mental health significantly declined following the loss of his father six years prior and his mother last year, along with his brother within a 12-month period. This series of bereavements, coupled with his failure to seek help, led him to succumb to a severe gambling addiction.
"Prior to this, the defendant had been a man with a very positive working history since the age of 16," Ross stated. "He tried to fix his problems, firstly with loans from friends and payday loans. Eventually, he was approached about taking cannabis into prison, which he accepted. The motivation for him, very sadly, was the money, and he stands to pay the price as a result of that." Ross added that Heath has been tackling his gambling addiction since the offence and has since gained employment with a mechanical firm. He currently resides with his wife in stable accommodation.
Appearing via video link from HMP Altcourse, clad in a grey t-shirt, Heath confessed to smuggling a prohibited article into a prison and being involved in the supply of cannabis.
In his sentencing remarks, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Judge Andrew Menary KC acknowledged Heath's candour, shame, and genuine remorse. He recognised the significant impact of Heath's bereavements and his serious gambling addiction as informing the context of his actions.
However, Judge Menary emphasised the gravity of the offence: "Drugs in prison exacerbate addiction, create debt, lead to bullying and violence and undermine discipline. This offending was not impulsive or isolated. It was repeated over several weeks with planning and concealment. You did so while working in a position of trust. The prison service relies on the honesty of such staff, and breaching that trust corrodes the security of the entire estate."
Despite Heath's lack of prior convictions and prospects for rehabilitation, Judge Menary concluded, "You cannot properly be described as a mere courier. You were doing this for significant gain for yourself. You had a choice to make. You knew what you were doing and the risks that were involved... this is very serious offending. This type of offending calls for deterrent sentencing and, in the circumstances, there is no appropriate sentence other than one of immediate custody that would meet the justice of this case." Heath was subsequently sentenced to 20 months behind bars.
