Probation officer sent lag lover sexual messages after pair struck up affair – but was caught out by X-rated card

The Irish Sun

3 days ago

Couple had dated as teens but rekindled love behind bars
JAIL FLING Probation officer sent lag lover sexual messages after pair struck up affair – but was caught out by X-rated card
A GLAMOROUS probation officer had an illicit love affair with a convicted burglar behind bars.
Leonie Wilkinson, 27, enjoyed a fling with career criminal Gary Hampson, 26, while he was caged at HMP Preston, Lancs.
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Leonie Wilkinson struck up an affair with an inmate
Credit: STEVE ALLEN
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She had first dated Gary Hampson when they were teens
Credit: Preston Police
The pair had first dated as teenagers and struck up another romance when Wilkinson took up an official job in the prison.
They exchanged dozens of phone calls and naughty messages, although their inappropriate relationship never became 'physical or sexual'.
Preston Crown Court heard how Wilkinson had been 'economical with the truth' and not fully disclosed how she knew Hampson.
And she used her position to gain unauthorised access to computer records about him and fellow inmates.
David Clarke, prosecuting, told the court how Wilkinson had started in an admin role before successfully applying to be a probation officer in September, 2020.
Although she told her line manager that she knew Hampson's brother, she failed to declare any 'conflict of interest' due to their previous relationship or mention she had visited him twice in prison.
Prison authorities later received intelligence the pair were conducting a 'romantic relationship' and they were communicating with each other via a 'wing phone' he was using.
Hampson's cell was searched and the phone recovered and it showed calls and messages - some of which were sexual - between the pair.
A birthday card she sent, found at his home, said it 'would be his last birthday in prison'.
The explicit Funky Pigeon card referenced oral sex on the front.
Wilkinson was arrested and a search of her personal phone also revealed how they had been contacting each other - although she'd tried to hide their relationship by pretending to be his sister, the court heard.
In emails between the pair, Hampson revealed which side of the bed he would prefer to sleep on and told Wilkinson: 'See you soon beautiful. Love you xx.' He also urged her to send some photos, the court heard, while the pair 'expressed their love for each other' and spoke about starting a family together.
The phone records also revealed how Hampson had been using drugs while inside, including GHB, ketamine and cannabis, and Wilkinson sent him several payments of £20 or £30 using a third party.
Mr Clarke said she'd gained authorised access to probation computer systems to obtain details on Hampson and other prisoners, and she'd warned an aunt: 'Don't say you got it from me.' When their relationship was rumbled, Hampson was moved to a different prison, but Wilkinson denied any romance during police interviews.
Ms Rachael Woods, defending Wilkinson, described it as a 'remote relationship' that was not sexual and involved no physical contact.
She said Wilkinson had not accessed computer records for 'criminal' purposes but had simply provided information to inmates' relatives who were concerned about their welfare.
'She is an immature and quite naive young woman,' Ms Woods said, adding that she had provided information to Hampson's mother due to concerns about 'how he was coping in the prison system'.
The court heard how single Wilkinson, who has a five-month-old daughter, has since 'transformed' her life and was now working as a mental health support worker.
Hampson, who has 29 convictions for 74 offences including burglary, assault and affray, but was due to be released before the romance was rumbled, believed it was a 'genuine' relationship the court heard.
Tom Lord, defending, said he wasn't a 'sophisticated criminal' and had not 'manipulated, a fresh green woman'.
Wilkinson, of Preston, Lancs had previously pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between September 2020 and August 2021 and gaining unauthorised access to a computer system.
Hampson, who is currently serving a two year sentence for burglary, admitted encouraging or assisting the misconduct and possession of a mobile phone inside prison.
Judge Michael Mayer told Wilkinson she had compromised security and safety inside the prison and made herself "vulnerable to blackmail".
Her 'own selfish interest' had 'tainted the good name of the probation service', he added.
Judge Mayer handed her a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered her to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehab days.
Hampson, who the judge described as beyond rehabilitation, was sentenced to six months in prison to run consecutively with his current jail time.