TWO Redditch men are among a group who have been charged with conspiring to supply prohibited items, including drugs and weapons, into prisons including HMP Hewell.

11 people, including 34-year-old Craig Hickenbottom, and 50-year-old John Hickenbottom, both formally of HMP Hewell, have been charged with conspiring to supply prohibited items into prisons between July 2015 and January 2017.

The charges come after a lengthy investigation by West Mercia Police, in conjunction with HM Prison Service into the supply of drugs, weapons and other prohibited articles into HMP Hewell in Tardebigge and HMP Birmingham in Winson Green, HMP Stoke Heath in Shropshire and HMP Featherstone in Wolverhampton.

The offences ranged from simple throwing of items into prisons to the sophisticated use of drones to fly items into the prison.

Following close liaison with the Crown Prosecution Service nine men and two women will appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court later this month to face charges.

10 people, including the Redditch men, have been charged with five counts of conspiring to supply prohibited items into prisons:

A further man has been charged with one count of conspiring to supply prohibited articles into prisons and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

They have all been bailed to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on 22 May 2017.