Prison Officer Steve Morton, 37, of Long Look is accused of smuggling a cell phone to a prisoner at Her Majesty's Prison in Balsum Ghut. Photo: VINO/File

The resident of Long look allegedly committed the offences between August 27 and September 10, 2012 at Her Majesty’s Prison (HMP) at Balsum Ghut. Morton entered a plea of not guilty when the charges were read to him.

According to the allegations read by Principal Crown Counsel Tiffany Scatliffe, sometime between the above-mentioned dates, Morton while on duty at HMP as a prison officer, allegedly approached a remanded prisoner and made arrangements to get a mobile phone into the prison for a cost of $60.

It was further alleged that the remanded prisoner gave contact details through a source and the accused subsequently had a conversation with the source whereby arrangements were made. The accused later met the person who handed over a black mobile phone and $70.

The accused allegedly returned to prison and handed the device to the prisoner (James John) who hid the cellphone in the mattress in his prison cell.

On September 10, 2012 prison officers were making regular searches and checks when Officer Mills discovered the hidden object in a prisoner’s mattress.

The prison authorities later conducted an investigation and subsequently contacted the police about the matter. The phone was subsequently handed over to Police.

On October 31, 2012 the accused was arrested and a video interview was later conducted during which he offered no comment. He was later charged in the matter.

The Prosecution had no objection to bail given the nature of the defendant’s job and indicated that the file was ready with the exception of the transcribed video interview.

Magistrate Tamia Richards then offered the defendant bail in the sum of $65,000 with one surety and instructed that his travel documents continue to be confined.

Morton stated that he was being represented by attorney Mary-Lou Creque who was absent at the time. The defendant is scheduled to return to court on January 24, 2013.