Three people from Sheffield have been sentenced for conspiring to bring prohibited items into a prison, following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, with support from HM Prison and Probation Service and South Yorkshire Police.
Rhea Wood and Mohammed Abdo conspired with a serving prisoner, Abdullah Mohammed, to smuggle illicit items into HMP Lindholme, South Yorkshire, in May 2023.
The items were successfully intercepted by prison staff and included mobile phones, Sim cards and eight USB sticks.
A specialist team digitally interrogated the USB sticks, which revealed material of an extremist nature including radical sermons that encouraged violence. Personal photos and details also found on the devices meant that Police were able to trace the items back to those responsible.
Wood, Abdo and Mohammed all pleaded Guilty to the offence charged. Wood and Mohammed were sentenced today (Friday, July 17) at Sheffield Crown Court and received 18 months imprisonment with Mohammed’s sentence suspended for two years. Abdo was sentenced in December 2025 to 15 months imprisonment.
In a separate court case, Rhea Wood pleaded guilty to dissemination of terrorist publications concerning videos of ISIS propaganda that she had shared on a Pinterest account. She was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment and will be subject to a ten year terrorism notification order on release from prison.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East said:
“Counter Terrorism Policing North East work closely with our partners to investigate and disrupt this kind of activity and I would like to thank the prison staff for their quick actions that ensured the illegal items did not enter the prison.
“The content found on the USB’s and on Wood’s device was extreme, violent and divisive. Anyone seeking to share such material will be brought to justice.
“The public can help us with our mission to tackle extremist content. If you come across or hear anyone discussing potential terrorist material, please report it in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.”
Lord Timpson, Minister for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, said:
“This case sends a clear message that anyone attempting to smuggle illicit items into our prisons will be caught and brought to justice. Thanks to the swift actions of prison staff, extremist material, mobile phones and other prohibited items were stopped from entering HMP Lindholme, helping to protect the safety and security of the prison.
“I pay tribute to our vigilant staff and Counter Terrorism Policing colleagues, whose close partnership ensured those responsible have been held to account. We will continue working relentlessly to stop criminals undermining the security of our prisons.”