- Admits smuggling contraband, including a mobile phone and SD cards, into HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire during the three-month fling
By Grâçia Ada Obi
A prison officer who struck up a romantic relationship with a violent inmate is now facing jail.
Charlotte Winstanley, 27, admitted misconduct in a public office over the relationship with 29-year-old Jabhari Blair.
She smuggled contraband, including a mobile phone and SD cards, into HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire during the three-month fling.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the offence carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
Winstanley, of Stainforth, South Yorkshire, United Kingdom (UK), also admitted sending a photograph from inside the Category C prison in April last year.
Blair, serving a 12-year sentence over his role in a street fight, joined the hearing via video link from Lowdham Grange prison, near Nottingham.
He admitted possessing cannabis, a phone and a USB stick.
Told by Judge Meghan Rhys he would be sentenced on December 3 – the day he turns 30 – he replied: ‘Thanks for the birthday present.’
Winstanley was granted bail until sentencing.
Her barrister Khadim Al-Hassan said she admitted the offences and did not seek to ‘minimise her role’.
He said: ‘She’s made a full and frank disclosure.’
Judge Rhys told the pair: ‘Jabhari Blair and Charlotte Winstanley, you’ve pleaded guilty to acceptable counts on the indictment.
‘You will therefore need to be sentenced. Sentence will take place on December 3.
‘Charlotte Winstanley, you can remain on bail as same terms as before but make sure you’re back in good time for sentence on December 3.
‘A failure to do so may lead to your arrest.’
A number of female prison guards have been sacked in recent years for forming inappropriate relationships with inmates.
Earlier this year, Morgan Farr Varney admitted she had ‘proper fallen in love’ with the prisoner while working at HMP Lindholme in 2022.
A search of the inmate’s cell revealed love letters from the officer. Others were recovered from Farr Varney’s bedroom when her home was searched.
CCTV footage also showed the pair entering a cupboard and ‘loitering’ together on a wing during her employment at Lindholme.
Farr Varney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at Sheffield Crown Court last month and was sentenced to 10 months in jail.
