A man from Manchester has been jailed for two years after being caught on camera hurling drugs packets over a prison fence.
Police have released footage that shows Michael Hopkins, 29, throwing the contraband into HMP Forest Bank in Pendleton, Salford.
GMP said that Hopkins went through the undergrowth that surrounds the prison and jumped the perimeter fence before launching two packages over the prison wall.
He was “swiftly detained and arrested” by officers who were stationed nearby and being fed information from the prison’s internal CCTV system.
#JAIL | A man has been jailed for over two years after throwing contraband into HMP #Forest Bank
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) July 2, 2021
384g of tobacco, 12.2g of cannabis and five A4 pages of psychoactive substance laced paper – “worth up to several thousand pounds inside of prison” according to GMP – were recovered from the packages.
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Hopkins claimed he did not know the contents and had been told to throw the items by a man who he refused to name.
Hopkins was sentenced last week at Minshull Street Crown Court – receiving two years in jail after pleading guilty to one count of attempting to convey contraband into a prison and two counts of conveying contraband into a prison.
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He was also sentenced to nine months for now-activated suspended sentences in relation to handling stolen goods and dangerous driving.
Michael Hopkins was sentenced for two years for throwing contraband into HMP Forest Bank / Image: GMP
Detective Sergeant Andrew Vizard, of GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said that contraband was a “big problem inside prisons”.
“Any drugs entering the prison system can lead to further crimes being committed by inmates and pose a serious risk to the safety of prison staff,” he stated.
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Matt Spencer, Director at HMP Forest Bank said: “This arrest and conviction shows that partnership working across criminal justice organisations in Greater Manchester is strong.
“Smuggling contraband into our prisons greatly increases levels of debt, violence and intimidation and will not be tolerated.”
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
The Manc -
5th July 2021 
