Two men who used drones to smuggle contraband into Kent prisons have themselves been put behind bars.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Alan Cane and Jamie Groves orchestrated the delivery of drugs, tobacco and blades on 136 occasions.

HMP Maidstone and HMP Swaleside were just two of 19 secure facilities across England where the pair operated between May and September last year.

The court heard they targeted windows and designated yard locations to drop off class A and B drugs, Stanley blades, tobacco, mobile phones, USB sticks, and clothing.

Groves, of Lindisfarne Road, Dagenham, and Cane, of Pelly Avenue, Essex, had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey list-A articles into prison.

In a hearing on Tuesday (July 15), Groves, 38 was sentenced to two and half years imprisonment, while Cane, 40, was dealt a term of three years and eight months and banned from owning or being in control of a drone for five years after his release.

Head of South East Organised Crime Unit, Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Boniface, said: “This case highlights a serious and sustained threat to prison safety and order, with a staggering 136 suspected drone drops across 19 HMP establishments.

“These sentences send a clear message: anyone attempting to organise the supply of contraband into prison will be identified and prosecuted.

“I hope Cane’s SCPO will act as a strong deterrent, restricting his ability to reoffend, and making clear that breaching the order could lead to further time in prison.”