Latest news with #FunkyPigeon
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Probation officer sent lag lover sexual messages after pair struck up affair – but was caught out by X-rated card
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. 3 Leonie Wilkinson struck up an affair with an inmate Credit: STEVE ALLEN 3 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.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Probation officer sent lag lover sexual messages after pair struck up affair – but was caught out by X-rated card
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 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Leonie Wilkinson struck up an affair with an inmate Credit: STEVE ALLEN 3 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
'Send some pics': The behind bars romance exposed by Funky Pigeon birthday card
A probation officer rekindled a romance behind bars with an inmate and accessed computer systems to 'reassure his mum'. Leonie Wilkinson, 28, was 'economical with the truth' when she told her line manager she knew serving prisoners Gary Hampson and his brother Alan in 2021. A court heard that she had been in a relationship with Hampson when she was 16 and was 'firmly embedded in his family', LancsLive reports. READ MORE: Buckingham Palace announces King will address the nation next week READ MORE: Boy, 4, dies after being hit by bus as he walked out of hospital However she did not complete the necessary paperwork to declare a conflict of interest and went on to rekindle the romance when she was employed as a probation officer at the prison in 2021. Sign up to the MEN Court newsletter here She claimed she had not had any contact with the men in many years. As part of her induction into the role she undertook anti-corruption training, Preston Crown Court heard. In May 2021, rumours began to circulate that there was a romantic relationship between Wilkinson and serving prisoner Gary Hampson. Investigations revealed mobile phone contact between the pair on an illegal phone in Hampson's possession. Hampson's cell was searched and a birthday card was also found, which referenced oral sex on the front and made reference to seeing him soon, stating it was his last birthday behind bars. The card had been purchased from Funky Pigeon, using an account in Wilkinson's name, the court heard. Email exchanges between Wilkinson and Hampson spoke about 'his side of the bed', with Hampson saying: "See you soon beautiful. Love you. Send some pics xxx" They spoke of having children together and expressed their love for each other, with Hampson speaking of having a fresh start when he is released from jail. Wilkinson also messaged a member of her own family, who was concerned about the whereabouts of her daughter, saying: "She's in prison. Don't say you've heard it from me lol xxx." There was also evidence of drug use including GHB, ketamine and cannabis on Wilkinson's phone, the court heard. Bank transfers showed Wilkinson made two £30 payments and a £20 payment to Hampson in May and June 2021. Hampson was transferred to HMP Lancaster Farms and Wilkinson was suspended from her role with the Probation Service. She claimed her sister was the person making contact with the Hampson family and insisted she had not sent the birthday card to the inmate. She admitted making searches on the computer systems but claimed she had not received appropriate training to know she was not allowed. Wilkinson, of Burholme Road, Preston, later pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and two counts of unlawfully accessing computer systems. Rachel Woods, defending, said there was no evidence the relationship had become physical or sexual however there was an emotional attachment between the pair. "She did disclose the fact she knew the defendant and his brother but she was economical with the truth and did not complete the paperwork", she said. "It was Gary Hampson who contacted her originally and the relationship did resume by way of text messages and such. "Whilst these are extremely serious criminal offences they were not pursued to assist criminals in criminal enterprises outside the prison setting. They were to comfort and assist other people and in doing so she took a very big risk. "She was immature and quite naïve." Since her arrest, Wilkinson has 'transformed her life', Ms Woods said. She has become a single mother to a five-month-old baby and has employment supporting people with mental health issues, although she is currently on maternity leave. Hampson pleaded guilty to assisting or encouraging the commission of an offence and possession of a prohibited mobile phone in prison. Tom Lord, defending, said: "He saw this relationship as genuine. This is not a relationship where at the very heart of it lies manipulation." Sentencing, Judge Michael Maher said: "Your (Wilkinson's) feelings for Gary Hampson were very clear indeed, although you were very careful to keep your clandestine relationship under wraps by pretending to be your sister. "It is blindingly obvious that the relationship between prisoners and probation officers must be professional. Inappropriate relationships leave you open to being blackmailed. "They also cause division amongst the prisoner population because they create the impression that some prisoners are favoured over others. "Your mother described you as a lovely young lady - perhaps you are, but your serious actions over a period of time have tainted the good name of the Probation Service. "This is not a case where you were trading in sensitive information. You were motivated by altruism to reassure others." Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE The judge said there had been an exceptional delay in bringing the case to justice which impacted significantly on the sentence he passed. Wilkinson was handed a 12 month sentence suspended for 18 months with 120 hours unpaid work and 20 days rehabilitation activities. Hampson was sentenced to six months to run consecutively to the sentence he is already serving.
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's going on with the Card Factory share price?
On several occasions, I've suggested that the Card Factory (LSE:CARD) share price was depressed or beaten down because the market didn't like its limited online presence. However, that's now changing with the acquisition of Funky Pigeon from WH Smith. The £24m purchase marks a major strategic shift, addressing long-standing concerns over its minimal online presence. Funky Pigeon will deliver a mature digital platform, experienced technology teams, and established direct-to-recipient gifting capabilities, enhancing Card Factory's digital proposition. The former WH Smith brand has been operating a successful business with average annual revenues around £32m and EBITDA of around £5m over the last two years. Cross-selling opportunities, operational efficiencies, and access to richer customer data should follow. Ultimately, this move positions Card Factory to become a top omni-channel player, uniting over 1,000 stores with a competitive online offer. Shares surge The share price surged after the acquisition was announced. Clearly, investors were happy to see the business make more progress in expanding its digital presence. However, the stock's valuation certainly isn't too demanding. The company's now trading at 6.1 times forward earnings and it's expected to have a net debt position of around £116m by the end of the year. This forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio's expected to fall to 5.4 times by 2027. In fact, earnings may even accelerate faster than this, given the Funky Pigeon takeover. Remember, analysts don't always update their forecasts immediately. The dividend yield remains sizeable despite the rise — share prices and dividend yields are inversely correlated. The forward yield currently sits at 6% and is expected to rise to around 7% by 2027. That's based on today's share price and the dividend forecast. It's also worth noting that dividend coverage is strong at almost three times. This suggests the payments are sustainable even if the business falls on hard times. The bottom line Card Factory, for now, remains a traditional retailer with a distinct brand and deep ties to celebrations and everyday moments. This is a quality that helps it weather shifts in consumer sentiment. The business has shown agility, adapting products and store formats to remain relevant on high streets across the UK. Seemingly, customer loyalty remains strong due to its value proposition and broad selection. While the acquisition of Funky Pigeon offers new digital potential, Card Factory's core challenge remains revitalising its high street presence and ensuring that physical stores complement, rather than compete with, its growing online channels. After all, it's not easy to get excited about a company that sells relatively-low-cost products from 1,000 expensive locations around the country. I say that noting the increasing cost of energy and hiring staff, especially under the current administration. However, with solid brand equity and strong valuation, Card Factory's one I'm watching closely. I believe it deserves attention from investors. The post What's going on with the Card Factory share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool UK. More reading 5 Stocks For Trying To Build Wealth After 50 One Top Growth Stock from the Motley Fool James Fox has no position in any of the shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has recommended WH Smith. Views expressed on the companies mentioned in this article are those of the writer and therefore may differ from the official recommendations we make in our subscription services such as Share Advisor, Hidden Winners and Pro. Here at The Motley Fool we believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. Motley Fool UK 2025 Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WH Smith to sell Funky Pigeon business to Card Factory
British travel retailer WH Smith has agreed to sell its online personalised greeting card subsidiary, Funky Pigeon, to UK-based retailer Card Factory for £24m ($32.1m) in cash. The consideration is based on an enterprise value of £26m. The company expects to generate £21m in net cash proceeds after accounting for transaction expenses. These funds will be allocated to reducing WH Smith's overall debt. The transaction aligns with WH Smith's strategy to concentrate on travel retail. Having transformed into a 'pure play global travel retailer', the company is poised to seize significant growth prospects in its primary markets and boost shareholder value. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The acquisition will strengthen Card Factory's digital strategy, positioning it as the second-largest online card and gift retailer in the UK. It is expected to be earnings-enhancing for Card Factory in the financial year ending 31 January 2027, with anticipated synergy benefits exceeding £5m. These will be realised through optimised manufacturing and fulfilment, technology platforms and product ranging. Card Factory plans to fund the acquisition through a drawdown of up to £35m under its accordion facility, with a modest expected increase in leverage. Funky Pigeon's established online presence and customer base, supported by its teams in Bristol and Guernsey, have generated £32m in annual revenue and £5m in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) in the financial years 2023 and 2024. Cardfactory aims to integrate Funky Pigeon's digital platform with its current omnichannel capabilities, using its 24 million unique in-store customers to establish a robust online presence in the celebration occasions market. The digital strategy includes enhancing the online customer experience and extending the in-store party and celebrations offer through an omnichannel approach. Card Factory aims to integrate Funky Pigeon's technology platform as the core digital platform for its UK and Ireland business, driving operational efficiencies and improving customer experience. Card Factory CEO Darcy Willson-Rymer stated: "This acquisition marks a significant step forward in cardfactory's strategy to build a scaled, competitive digital presence in the celebration occasions market. It brings a high-quality platform and proven technology, accelerating our ability to compete in the direct-to-recipient card and gifting segment, so supporting our ambition to become the leading omnichannel retailer in our sector. "Together, the enlarged customer base will benefit from a richer, more convenient customer proposition, combining the strength of our nationwide store estate and wider celebrations offer with Funky Pigeon's exceptional digital experience. Operational efficiencies, fulfilment synergies and a unified technology platform will provide the data needed to develop deeper insights into the customer journey, enabling us to build a stronger, more integrated omnichannel business.' "WH Smith to sell Funky Pigeon business to Card Factory" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
