A CHANNINGS Wood inmate has admitted bringing drugs into a prison when he was recalled to jail last year.

Darren Swift was found with a quantity of cocaine as he was being processed by staff after being recalled to Exeter Prison on February 10, 2022. He was asked if he had anything illegal and handed over the drugs.

Swift, aged 50, was being recalled under a lifelong indefinite sentence for public protection from which he had recently been released after serving 15 years in jail.

He is currently serving the original sentence at Channings Wood Prison and appeared at Exeter Crown Court by video link from the jail near Newton Abbot.

Swift pleaded guilty to conveying a contraband item into Exeter Prison and Judge David Evans adjourned his sentence until next week.

The Judge asked the prosecution to provide an explanation about why it has taken so long for the case to come to court, given that an expert report identified the seized substance as cocaine in June of last year.

Miss Kelly Scrivener, defending, said Swift has been recalled on the indefinite sentence and will not be able to apply for parole for ten months, regardless of the outcome of this case.

She said he is pessimistic about being granted parole because he will have to complete a variety of courses before he becomes eligible for release and he knows there is a waiting list for some of them.

Judge Evans adjourned sentence and said the Judge who deals with it will need to be told whether Swift has suffered any unfairness as a result of the delay.