SENTENCE has been delayed for a week on an Islamic inmate at a top-security prison caught with a memory stick containing “radical” or “extreme” material.

Ali Abdifatah was found in possession of the prohibited USB storage stick at HMP Frankland, on the outskirts of Durham, on June 17, 2020, where he was serving a sentence for attempted robbery.

Durham Crown Court heard that the material on the device, some described as “radical” or “extreme” in nature, could be viewed by inserting it into an unblocked portal on a games console.

The court was told that games consoles permitted for use by prisoners have their portals blocked to prevent them being used for nefarious purposes.

But they could be reactivated by removal of whatever material was put in to block the portal.

Dr Chris Wood, prosecuting, said inmates would not be allowed to have access to devices like USB sticks.

The 25-year-old defendant, now transferred to HMP Garth, near Leyburn in Lancashire, admitted a charge that, without authority, he possessed a prohibited item in a prison, when he appeared before magistrates at Newton Aycliffe, on February 1.

The magistrates sent the case to the crown court to be sentenced due to limitations of their powers.

Read more: Durham Prison: Scanners to fight drug problem were diverted elsewhere

Abdifatah was to have been sentenced today (Friday February 25) by video link to the court from HMP Garth.

But, the time slot allocated for the prison to court link was missed due to a previous case over-running, so the hearing was adjourned, with a view to it being relisted next Friday, subject to space in the court list.

Recorder Andrew Dallas said it was, “a slightly unusual case” for the crown court, and said an hour needs to be set aside to deal with the sentence.

Asked by the Recorder, Dr Wood said the offence carries a potential sentence of up to two years.

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