Sheffield Crown Court sentenced Kieran Murphy and Brandon Horne on 30 October 2026, giving Murphy another six years and Horne another four years.[1] Serving prisoners Brandon Horne, 23, and Kieran Murphy, 30, were jailed with Horne’s mother Michelle Midgley and Murphy’s partner Lydia Pinnington for their roles in the conspiracy.[2][3][4] Horne was sentenced to four years and Murphy to six years after both pleaded guilty to a number of drugs charges.[2][3][4] Pinnington, 28, of Clieves Road, Liverpool, was sentenced to five and a half years, while Midgley, 48, of Halifax Road in Ripponden was jailed for 32 months.[2][3][4]

South Yorkshire Police said the group used “any items” they could to smuggle ketamine, cannabis and spice into prisons across the UK.[2][4] Members of the gang smuggled drugs into prison hidden inside hot dog tins, mouthwash and packets of washing powder.[2] The gang exploited the system used for forwarding on inmates’ possessions when they were transferred from one prison to another to get the items into jail.[2][4] The group’s items were found to contain ketamine and cannabis as well as synthetic drugs such as spice and nicotine, in packages totalling tens of thousands of pounds.[1][5]

Using a contraband mobile phone inside prison, Murphy conspired with Pinnington to smuggle items inside and bring Midgley and Horne into the circle.[1] Murphy was already serving a jail sentence for his role in another major smuggling conspiracy, while Pinnington had received a suspended sentence for money laundering linked to the activity.[2] Detective Sergeant Gareth Gent said those involved in smuggling drugs into prisons destabilise the prison environment and fuel violence, intimidation and criminality.[2]