A prisoner who took part in a mass disturbance at Channings Wood Jail was allegedly found with two mobile phones after being grabbed by officers.

Alex Shirley was one of a large group of inmates who confronted staff in an outside area between two cell blocks on May 1 last year.

He was brought to the ground by prison officers who saw two miniature phones fall out of his jumper as he was being detained, Exeter Crown Court was told.

Liverpool-born Shirley, aged 30, of Newquay, Cornwall, denied possessing contraband items inside a prison.

He says they must have been dropped by another prisoner during the disturbance and got caught up in his clothing as he was being taken to the ground.

Mr Tom Bradnock, prosecuting, said mobiles are banned inside prison because they enable contact with the outside world and undermine good order and discipline.

He said on May 1 last year a large number of officers were called to deal with a disturbance in the grounds of the jail near Newton Abbot.

He said: ‘Shirley was one of those involved in the disturbance. He was seen, and along with another, tried to run away from the scene but was taken to the ground by officers who were concerned about his conduct.

‘He was restrained and while he was struggling one of the officers noticed two small objects falling from under his jumper onto the ground.’

Mr Bradnock said one of the phones had DNA from five people on it and it was accepted that Shirley may not have been the owner of either of them.

He told staff they were nothing to do with him.

The jury were shown the phones inside sealed evidence bags which they were warned not to open. One of the phones had distinctive smearing and staining on it.

The trial continues.