Latest news with #LeonieWilkinson
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
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 3 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.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Preston probation officer hid relationship with prisoner
A prison probation officer who posed a "significant risk to prison security" by failing to mention her relationship with a prisoner when she got the job has been Wilkinson, 27, did not disclose any conflicts of interest when she applied for the role at HMP Preston or during her vetting period, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) relationship with prisoner Gary Hampson, which began in 2018, was uncovered after a mobile phone found in his cell showed the pair had called, emailed and messaged each who pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. Det Insp Brian Morley, of NWROCU, said: "Wilkinson's actions represented a serious breach of trust and undermined the integrity of the criminal justice system."Wilkinson was also sentenced for offences including unauthorised access to a computer and encouraging the possession of a mobile 26, was handed six months' imprisonment to run consecutively with his existing sentence after admitting encouraging misconduct in a public office and possessing an unauthorised mobile phone in prison. Smuggling contraband The sentencing followed an investigation into her misconduct while employed at HMP Preston, which she started working at in vetting for the role was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic, by which time Wilkinson, of Preston, had already completed her training and failed to declare any conflicts of in April 2021, Wilkinson told her line manager she knew prisoner Gary Hampson and one of his relatives, citing a family connection, the NWROCU claimed to have submitted a conflict of interest report but records show she only declared a connection to another prisoner and no formal disclosure was made regarding Hampson and his relative.A month later, reports surfaced alleging a corrupt probation officer was smuggling contraband into HMP Preston. A subsequent investigation revealed Wilkinson was in a relationship with Hampson, a continuation of a prior relationship and had visited him in prison in January had also been listed as a friend of two other inmates.A mobile phone seized from Hampson's cell showed messages between Wilkinson and Hampson, while a card sent online by the officer to the prisoner was also found. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
