A PRISONER has been handed further jail time after supplying drugs to inmates at HMP Kilmarnock.

At the town's sheriff court on Tuesday, March 12, Liam Clark pleaded guilty to one charge of being concerned in the supply of Class C drug bromazolam, between May 2 and May 9 last year.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court that the incident came after the 24-year-old was brought to the Ayrshire prison - which he had only been released from the month prior - for a remand period.

The fiscal depute explained: "On May 3 custody officers became increasingly concerned that inmates appeared to be intoxicated.

"They were concerned about the supply of a controlled drug in within the prison wing. Cells of those noted to be under the influence were then searched."

During this custody officers found a rubber package, a wrap, paper containing orange residue, a clear bag, a pack and pink powder which were all tested and found to contain bromazolam.

At this stage Clark was kept in segregation as a result of the contents found and the belief that he was responsible for its distribution.

The 24-year-old's cell was also search with a wrap, paper, and glove containing the substance all found.

A number of strip searches were also carried out with a plastic package containing the drug was found in his buttocks.

At this time Clark, now described as an inmate at the Prison of Dumfries, admitted he brought the drugs into the prison.

He was later taken to Crosshouse Hospital due to his intoxicated state and again stated that he brought the drugs into prison.

Following his return to prison from hospital Clark then told officers that his mental health was deteriorating due to being kept in segregation - so he was taken back to a prison wing.

That same day, prison guards once again noted that some inmates appeared to be intoxicated. It was later found that Clark was posting what was believed to be small parcels containing bromazolam under his cell door.

His cell was searched once again following this and further drugs were found with Clark admitting he was going to "give them to someone in the yard".

Further investigations were then carried out with audio recordings of prison phone calls linking the 24-year-old to the supply of the illicit substance.

In an excerpt of one call Clark was heard discussing cell searches with the person he was telephoning.

The inmate told this person guards came into his cell to look around and asked him if anything was there that he shouldn’t have.

He told the person on the other side of the phone “aye, in my a***” and that he had “stuff to take out to the yard to the boys”.

Following this he was not formally cautioned and charged but was made aware matter would be reported.

In total some 2.72 grams of bromazolam was recovered with potential value of £2,720.

Clark's solicitor Glenn Davis then explained to the court that the 24-year-old "has now attained a realistic stance on this matter".

Mr Davis added: "He realises there is only one disposal which is appropriate.

"What can be said is that this type of offence is not one that he has a been involved in - he has no convictions under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

"He took the drugs in knowing he had another sentence coming. He has since told me that 'it was stupid'."

Mr Davis also noted that despite the value of drugs found Clark did not make any money from inmates who came into its possession.

Sheriff Murdoch Mactaggart remarked: “It does appear in the narrative that quite a few people enjoyed the benefits of what he brought in.”

Though Mr Davis stated that Clark may not have supplied all affected inmates as the drug would likely have been passed around.

Sheriff Mactaggart then sentenced Clark to spend a further period of 14 months in prison.

This will be backdated to January 24 when he was initially remanded for this matter.