Corrupt Norfolk prison officer jailed alongside associates

A corrupt prison officer who formed a relationship with an inmate and was paid to smuggle drugs into prison, has been jailed. 

Sophie Emms, 29, of Pennycress Drive, Wymondham, was paid £7,000 in exchange for bringing in cannabis and the synthetic cannaboid ‘spice’ into HMP Wayland in Norfolk. 

Following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), detectives found that Emms had struck up a relationship with prisoner Jediah Clarke, 42, formally of Lyvedon Road, London.  

Through the course of the relationship, Clarke persuaded Emms to smuggle drugs into the prison in return for cash payments into her bank account.  

Clarke’s mother, Joy Wickham, 61, of Albion Street, London was also part of the criminal operation and took responsibility for sourcing the drugs and passing them to Emms. 

Once the drugs were inside HMP Wayland, they were hidden inside the cell of Clarke’s fellow prisoner Joel Barker, 37 of Firstore Drive, Colchester. 

The drugs, which included paper that had been soaked in spice so that it was easy to move within the prison, was then sold on to other prisoners. 

On Monday, 9 December, at Norwich Crown Court, Emms, was sentenced to two years and 11 months for her part in a conspiracy to bring or convey a prohibited article into prison after previously pleading guilty. 

Clarke and Wickham were both found guilty after trial of bringing or conveying a prohibited article into prison. 

Clarke was sentenced to six years and two months’ imprisonment while Wickham was jailed for four years.  

Barker was sentenced to one year and two months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years.  

Detective Inspector Daniel Barker from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: “Our teams are committed to working closely with partner agencies and police forces across the region to tackle organised criminality, whatever form that takes. 

“The sentences handed down as a result of this operation should act as a stark warning to those looking to convey illicit items into prisons, and I would urge anyone considering doing so to think very carefully about the potential consequences. 

“Drugs such as spice are incredibly dangerous and carry significant medical risks, and we will continue to work to ensure those looking to profit from the sale of such substances are brought to justice.”