An investigation has been launched after one of the men convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence reportedly obtained a mobile phone in prison and sent selfies to friends.
The Ministry of Justice said it is investigating the alleged security breach involving David Norris, who has now been placed in segregation, and warned that prisoners found with mobile phones can expect longer jail terms.
Norris, who was given a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering Lawrence in 1993 in south London, sent pictures of himself in his prison cell to friends, the Daily Mail reported.
He is also accused of using the smartphone at Dartmoor prison to call and text friends, log on to Facebook and watch YouTube videos.
Norris reportedly updated his WhatsApp status to indicate his eventual release from jail, claiming he would be “coming home in 2 to liven you all up”, according to the newspaper.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “We do not tolerate illicit phones in jail and prisoners found with them should expect to face longer behind bars.
“We have invested £125m in tougher prison security measures – including X-ray body scanners that have intercepted over 20,000 attempts to smuggle contraband behind bars in the past two years.”
Norris could face further punishment depending on the outcome of the investigation. It is understood the Prison Service is conducting cell searches while working to have any social media accounts potentially linked with the convicted murderer shut down.
Five men were arrested over the racist murder of 18-year-old Lawrence. Norris and Gary Dobson were convicted in 2012.
In May, an attempt to move Norris to an open prison was blocked by then-justice secretary Dominic Raab amid fears he still posed a risk to the public.
