Paul Lyons was caught with an iPhone in his cell at HMP Shotts. He appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court and the court heard that his cell was searched, and a phone was found inside a hidden compartment of a box. 

Lyons was sent to prison in 2010 for culpable homicide. and he appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court via video link. He admitted to a charge of possessing a communication device in October 2021 whilst in prison. 

The Procurator Fiscal told the court: “A search was carried out of the accused’s cell and he was compliant during the search. Prison officers asked if the accused’s property with the cell was all his and he replied ‘yes’. He was then asked if there were any items in the cell which he should not have to which he replied ‘no’. 

She continued: “During the course of the cell search a box was discovered to have a secret compartment and within this compartment was an iPhone. This was seized and given to prison security while the accused made no comment to any of the charges.”

Lyons told the court: “I lost my parole through this because I was up in May this year, but my earliest release is now December 2024.” 

It was submitted on his behalf that his lengthy sentence restricted the options available to the court. Sheriff Spy imposed a six-month sentence which will run alongside his current 12-year term for culpable homicide.