A PRISONER had an unauthorised mobile phone so he could speak to his mum because he was lonely, a court heard.

Elliot Warren Morgan, 20, who is serving a five-year sentence at HMP & YOI Portland for grievous bodily harm, admitted to the possession of a phone without authority.

The device was discovered on March 11, which was deliberately concealed inside toilet paper and cling film.

Prosecutor Andrew Newman said: "There's an approved phone for prisoners to use and they have to be approved contacts for monitoring reasons.

"These unauthorised devices are very valuable to prisoners to help with criminal activity on the inside.

"On the phone there had been text messages to two women - one of which was his mum.

"However, these devices are forbidden."

Aileen Tring, representing Morgan, said he had been 'struggling' with loneliness in prison.

She said: "He's been struggling as he is a young man.

"After viewing the text messages he was clearly not using the device for criminal activity in prison.

"He has been disciplined in prison and the device was taken by police."

Ms Tring said Morgan has been suffering with anxiety in prison, which has been made worse by coronavirus lockdown.

"Covid-19 has stopped anyone visitor him, which has made his mental health worse," she told the court.

"This is his first and only offence in prison since being remanded in custody for causing grievous bodily harm on April 20, 2019."

He was sentenced to four months in custody, to run concurrently with his original sentence.

Once released from prison, Morgan will have to pay £128 victim surcharge, which will have to be paid within 28 days of release.