A MAN who texted his daughter whilst in prison has had his sentence extended by eight weeks.

45-year-old John Minchinton is currently serving a prison sentence in HMP Guys Marsh.

He appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court via video link on Thursday, June 27.

He was charged with possessing a mobile phone inside a prison.

He pleaded guilty to the charge.

It is the third time Minchinton has been convicted of using a mobile phone whilst in prison.

Nicola Reece, prosecuting, said: “On July 17, 2023, at 9.40pm, prison officers conducted a dedicated prison search.

“The defendant’s cell was searched and an iPhone and charging cable were located.

“They could see a phone number belonging to his daughter which appeared to have been contacted.”

Katrina Byrne, mitigating, said: “The phone was found in a cell he was in, people come in and out but he accepts use of the phone.

“The link to the phone was contacting his daughter, there is no evidence of criminal activity.

“He was been in prison since January 2023 and has been in custody since December 2019.

“Whilst he has been in prison, his 12-year-old daughter has had difficulties in school where she has been threatened.

“He has two daughters who have been hugely affected by his behaviour and his time in prison.”

The court also heard from Ms Byrne that Minchinton has two previous similar convictions in March 2021 and October 2022, both for the use of a mobile phone in prison.

Ms Byrne added: “Both were very similar and both times they were used for family contact.”

Alan Bennett, chair of the Magistrates’ bench said: “We have taken into account your early guilty plea, nevertheless this is a serious offence as you well know.

“You have relatively recent similar previous convictions and therefore a further custodial sentence can be justified.”

Minchinton was sentenced to an additional eight weeks of custody.

He was ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a surcharge of £154 which will be paid after his sentence finishes.

The Magistrates also ordered for the forfeiture and destruction of the mobile phone and the charging cable.