A CORRUPT prison guard is behind bars himself after he admitted a year-long plot to smuggle drugs and mobile phones to inmates.

Richard Carew, 32, was arrested when police recovered more than a kilo of cannabis during a raid at Pentonville Prison.

He later confessed he had allowed contraband to flow into the jail in Caledonian Road, Holloway, for 16 months between January 30, 2009 and June 3 this year.

Carew appeared in the dock at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday for a plea and case management hearing.

He spoke only to confirm his name and plead guilty to a series of drug supply and misconduct charges.

Judge Gregory Stone, QC, remanded him in custody ahead of sentencing.

Seven men and two women deny involvement in the conspiracy, and will face trial in May next year. Carew is due to be sentenced at the conclusion of that trial.

Carew, of Kent, admitted conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey articles into prison, conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office and transmitting images or sounds from a prison.