Grantham couple jailed for total of 10 years after sending letters laced with drug into prisons around the country

A couple who admitted sending letters impregnated with the illicit drug Spice to 26 prisons across the country were today (Tuesday) jailed for a combined total of over ten years.

Rachael Stewart, 41, of Stirling Court, Grantham, began sending letters to a prisoner known only as "JB" after envelopes laced with the synthetic cannaboid were delivered to her home.

Lincoln Crown Court heard Stewart later transferred her affections to a second inmate, Shay Bradshaw, 30, now of Glastonbury Road, Corby, who "moneterised the operation" by using her to send letters to other inmates.

An illegal mobile phone within prison was used to pay money into a bank account set up in Rachael Stewart's name, the court was told.

One Spice infused letter within HMP Hull was estimated to fetch a price of £600, while other deals found on the "drugs phone" were offered at a bulk price of £15 a sheet.

She claimed only to post letters that had already been delivered to her impregnated with Spice, but Judge James House KC rejected that explanation stating it was clear Stewart knew how to manufacture the letters herself.

The court heard both defendants benefitted financially from the operation with letters being sent to number of prisons including Peterborough, The Mount and HMP Hull.

After Bradshaw was released from prison the couple first moved to Bradford, the court was told.

And as the operation developed solicitor stamps and letter heads were placed on the post to avoid suspicions.

The couple later moved to Grantham where Stewart allowed her own teenage son, Kian Stewart, 21, also of Stirling Court, to become involved in the operation, the court heard.

Judge House accepted the couple's relationship deteriorated at this point, with Bradshaw returning to an ex-partner in Corby, but he said Rachael Stewart was still in possession of the drugs line despite her more limited involvement and continued the scam when Bradshaw was returned to jail.

The court heard Bradshaw, who had a previous conviction for robbery, was found with over £11,000 in cash on his arrest. Rachael Stewart made no comment during her police interview.

David Eager, prosecuting, said the Crown Prosecution Service believed Rachael Stewart and Shay Bradshaw had both played a leading role in the enterprise.

"At various points during the conspiracy Mr Bradshaw was in custody, hence him being the figurehead," Mr Eager told the court.

The prosecution accepted Kian Stewart, who had no previous convictions, had played a lesser role, Mr Eager added.

All three defendants admitted conspiring to convey listed articles into prison, with the conspiracy lasting between 31 July 2017 and 29 May 2020.

Passing sentence Judge James House said he accepted Rachael Stewart's motivation was not entirely financial and escalated when Bradshaw came on the scene.

Judge House also accepted Bradshaw had now made a fresh start with a young family.

But Judge House added: "This was smuggling drugs into prison on a significant scale which makes it so serious."

Bradshaw was jailed for six years and nine months, and Rachael Stewart was sentenced three years and four months imprisonment after the judge accepted she was psychologically vulnerable.

Kian Stewart was sentenced to a 12 month community order after Judge House described him as an "impressive young man". He must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.