Bootle Man Flies Drugs, Phones & Tobacco into Wigan Jails
Jake Burns, 29, has confessed to smuggling drugs, cellphones, and tobacco into HMP Liverpool and HMP Hindley last summer.
Thumbs Up in Court Despite Serious Smuggling
Sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court, Burns, from Bootle, surprisingly thanked the judge and gave a thumbs-up gesture as his sentence was read out.
Wife Gets Suspended Sentence for Helping Out
His wife, Danielle Burns, caught up in the scandal, received a suspended sentence for her part in the plot. Police found a haul including skunk, cannabis resin, tobacco, two mobile phones, 32 SIM cards, cables, and cigarette papers during a raid on their home.
Huge Prison Black Market Haul Worth Thousands
- Cannabis resin valued at £7,400 inside prison
- Skunk worth £1,800
- Tobacco valued at £2,500
Former Convict Dragged Wife Into Crime
Prosecutor Neil Biswara revealed Burns enlisted his wife as a driver despite being disqualified from driving and carrying previous convictions, including a similar offence in 2017. He pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to bring contraband into two prisons.
Defence: Burns “Thought He Had Life Back on Track”
Lawyer Michael O’Brien said Burns believed he had turned a corner with a job, marriage, and family responsibilities. However, he relapsed into crime and now deeply regrets letting down himself and his loved ones.
“He admits he threw it away when he relapsed into crime. He regrets his actions and realises he has disappointed himself and his family,” said O’Brien.
Danielle Burns: ‘Awful Example’ But Deeply Remorseful
Danielle, with three previous unrelated convictions, admitted to assisting her husband in the smuggling operation. Defence barrister Tom Watson described her as living “in a pressure cooker” and “deeply remorseful.”
“She feels betrayed by him, but she still loves him and wishes to support him,” Watson explained.
Sentence Suspended to Protect Couple’s Daughters
Recorder Imran Shafi KC handed Danielle 16 months suspended for two years, 20 days community service, and a curfew. He acknowledged the damaging example the parents’ actions set for their two innocent daughters.
“What leads me to suspend it is the impact on your two innocent daughters who, through no fault of their own, have set a terrible example to them,” the judge said.
