Father Pays Back £3K After Making £110K from Prison Drugs

A father who conspired to smuggle drugs into HMP Parc to help his son pay off a prison debt has been ordered to repay just £3,000 despite making £110,000 from his criminal activities 💰

Adam Beckett, 49, was caught with 190g of cannabis worth up to £18,000 when visiting his son Connor at the Bridgend prison on 14 August 2022. The drugs had been arranged to be brought in by Connor, 27, who owed a drug debt to another inmate.

Both men were arrested following the discovery. Adam Beckett, of Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth, was convicted of conveying a listed article into prison, possession with intent to supply cannabis, being concerned in the supply of cannabis, and being concerned in the supply of methadone.

Connor Beckett, of Erlestoke House, Devizes, pleaded guilty to causing a listed article to be conveyed into prison. He was already serving 12 years for wounding with intent and has previous convictions for burglary, robbery, and drug possession.

At sentencing, Connor apologised to the court and claimed he was under pressure to pay the debt. He expressed intentions to complete courses in prison and hoped to enter property development upon release.

Judge Daniel Williams said: “Drugs within prisons undermine discipline and good order and they are extremely valuable.”

Connor received three months imprisonment consecutive to his current sentence, whilst Adam was sentenced to eight months.

At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, 18 July, the court heard Adam Beckett benefited £110,961 from his offending. However, he only had available assets worth £2,908.

Judge Richard Kember ordered the defendant to pay that sum within three months. If he fails to pay, he will serve an additional two months imprisonment in default ⚖️