A PRISONER at HMP Berwyn had been holding an illicit mobile phone for a matter of moments before officers caught him with it, a court heard.

Lucas Partyka, 31, appeared via video link from HMP Berwyn.

He admitted that on June 14 last year he had an unauthorised mobile phone within the prison - on the basis that it had been handed to him just moments before its discovery.

Frances Willmott, prosecuting, explained officers at the prison believed there was a mobile in the cell Partyka shared with another inmate.

On the day in question they conducted a search and as they entered they saw Partyka had such a device in his hand as the screen with lit up.

He tried to hide it on the side of his body and wouldn't let go when he was told to.

The officers were only able to recover it when he was fully restrained and handcuffed.

The device was analysed and its contents suggested it belonged to Partyka's cellmate.

Ms Wilmott explained at the time of this offence, Partyka was serving a six year sentence for aggravated burglary.

Phillip Tully, defending, said: "This is what I would describe as a technical possession of the phone, given it was in his hands for a matter of seconds.

"There's no evidence that Mr Partyka was using it.

"He accepts what he did was stupid. He should have left it."

Judge Timothy Petts told the defendant: "Mobile phones are very dangerous in prisons.

"They undermine discipline and enable the commission of crime in and out of the prison.

"The matter is made worse for you by your lengthy previous convictions and you committed this offence while you were waiting to come to court for sentence for a similar matter."

Judge Petts handed down an 18 week custodial sentence.