Leonie Wilkinson, 28, was a probation officer at HMP Preston and an investigation found that she was having a romance with inmate Gary Hampson who she had known as a teenager
A probation officer’s romance with a prisoner was discovered by a search of his cell which found a birthday card with a reference to oral sex, a court heard.
Leonie Wilkinson, 28, was ‘economical with the truth’ when she told her line manager she knew Gary Hampson – and his brother Alan, who were serving prisoners – in 2021. She had been in a relationship with Hampson when she was 16 and was ‘firmly embedded in his family’, Preston Crown Court heard. 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 HMP Preston in 2021.
She claimed she had not had any contact with the man in many years. As part of her induction into the role she undertook anti-corruption training, the court was told.
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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, reported LancsLive.
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.” 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.