Telford teenager sentenced for possession of weapon in young offender institution

A teenager from Snedshill has been handed a custodial sentence after being found in possession of a makeshift weapon while detained at a young offender institution.

Riley Preece, 19, appeared before Telford Magistrates’ Court on 19 March 2026 for trial regarding an incident that occurred last year.

The court heard that on 7 May 2025, Preece was found with an unauthorised offensive weapon while at HMYOI Brinsford in Wolverhampton.

The item was described as a large nail, approximately 15cm in length, which had been sharpened and embedded into a vape cap to create a bladed or sharply pointed article.

Preece pleaded guilty to the charge of unauthorised possession in prison of a knife or offensive weapon, contrary to the Prison Act 1952.

Magistrates took his guilty plea into account but determined that the offence was so serious that only a custodial sentence could be justified. This decision was based on Preece’s previous convictions and the fact that the weapon was held within a prison environment.

He was sentenced to a total custodial period of three months. No orders were made for costs or a victim surcharge due to a lack of ability to pay.