Pair charged with using drones to smuggle phones and cannabis into prison

Ingrid Edwards and Daniel Lee Kelly have appeared in court accused of smuggling the items into HMP Swaleside

The drone was reportedly used to smuggle cannabis and mobile phones into the prison (PA)

Two people have been charged with using a drone to smuggle mobile phones and cannabis into a prison.

Ingrid Edwards,25, and Daniel Lee Kelly, 37, from south London have been charged with two counts of getting prohibited items into HMP Swaleside in Eastchurch, Kent.

The items are alleged to have been sneaked into the prison between 16 March and 25 April.

A Kent Police spokesman said: "Officers investigating reports of a drone being used to send mobile phones and cannabis into a prison have charged two people from London."

The pair appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday and will appear at Maidstone Crown Court on 24 May.

Kelly has been remanded in custody but Edwards has been released on bail.

The use of drones by civilians is increasing in the UK as the technology becomes more and more affordable.

The House of Lords EU Committee has called for the compulsory registration of all commercial and civilian drones to address safety concerns.