TWELVE people will appear in court this morning accused of conspiracy to smuggle drugs and mobile phones into Lewes Prison.

The eight men and four women are due to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court this morning.

They are accused of trying to bring in prohibited items including drugs, legal highs and mobile phones into the prison between June 18 2014 and September 10 last year.

In a police investigation cocaine, cannabis, steroids, legal highs and phones were seized inside and outside the prison.

The defendants are: Darren Burdfield, 33, a serving prisoner; Simon Penton, 45, a serving prisoner; Simon Khalil, 34, a serving prisoner; Dorian Henry, 26, a serving prisoner; Daniel Sallis, 30, unemployed, of Bexhill Road, Woodingdean, Brighton Simon Taylor, 28, a trainer, of West Way, Wick, Littlehampton Ricky Bridger, 54, a prison officer, of The Oaks, Heathfield.

Carer Sabrina Burdfield, 61, of Redwing Close, Wick, Littlehampton.

Carer Sarah Hall, 32, of Barnet Way, Durrington, Worthing.

Katie Rudd, 26, unemployed, of Park Farm Lane, Maresfield.

Finance clerk Danielle Henry, 34, of Alfred Rd, London Sheryl Donegan, 30, unemployed, of Bexhill Rd, Woodingdean, Brighton.

Burdfield is also charged with two offences of possession a mobile phone inside the prison, and one of using a mobile phone inside the prison.

Penton is also charged with one offence of possessing and one offence of using a mobile phone inside the prison.

Khalil is also charged with one offence of possessing a mobile phone one offence of possessing a mobile phone cable, and one offence of using a mobile phone inside the prison.

Henry is also charged with one offence of using a mobile phone inside the prison.

Sallis is also charged with one offence of using a mobile phone inside a prison.

Sallis, Taylor, Brifger, Sabrian Burdfield, Hall, Rudd, Henry and Donegan, are all on bail.

Detective inspector Till Sanderson, of the Sussex Police Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: "This investigation, carried out in conjunction with staff at Lewes Prison, has focused on intelligence about attempts to undermine the effective working of the criminal justice and rehabilitation system."