A man has been jailed for using a drone to fly contraband into prisons - the first such conviction for the crime in the UK.

Daniel Kelly, 27, was sentenced to 14 months in prison at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting conspiracy to project an article into prison.

Kent Police said he had used the remote-controlled drone to smuggle items, including the psychoactive drug known as Spice, and tobacco, into two prisons in Kent, and one in Hertfordshire in April.

The offence was introduced in November last year to close a loophole in the law.

Kelly, formerly of Grove Park, in Lewisham, south-east London, was caught after a police patrol spotted a car parked in Eastchurch Road, Leysdown, near HMP Swaleside on April 25.

A man was spotted running and climbing into the front passenger seat before the car sped off and was later found at a holiday park in nearby Leysdown, where Kelly was arrested.

The drone was found in the boot of the car. It was originally white, but had been spray-painted black with taped over lights.

Analysis of the device's storage drive revealed it had made flights to HMP Elmley on April 20; HMP The Mount, in Hertfordshire, on April 23 and 24; and HMP Swaleside on April 25.

There were also two unsuccessful attempts to fly the drone into HMP Wandsworth, in south west London, on April 17 and 21.

Detective Constable Mark Silk, who served as investigating officer, said: "Kelly's offending was serious. It shows a lack of respect for our justice system and it is appropriate that he has received a custodial sentence.

"Psychoactive substances and tobacco have an inflated value in prison and this can lead to offences being committed within. This places both inmates and prison staff at risk."

Ingrid Kelly, 25, of Wolfe Crescent in Charlton, was also charged but the case against her has been dropped, Kent Police said.