A LOVESTRUCK prison officer who had “extremely graphic” phone sex with an inmate and shared steamy letters about their “romps” has been jailed.
Megann Gibson embarked on an illicit relationship with Ryan Horan while working at HM Prison Wealstun in West Yorkshire.
The 26-year-old allowed the prisoner into restricted areas of the category C jail and visited him at his resettlement accommodation.
Gibson also sent his mum more than 900 messages in an apparent bid to keep in touch with Horan.
The rookie officer was jailed for 12 months today after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis.
Leeds Crown Court heard that in just five months of working at the Category C resettlement prison, her behaviour triggered 102 anti-corruption intelligence reports.
The red flags equated to almost one every working day.
Horan was a hardened member of an “organised crime gang” and was serving an indefinite sentence for public protection.
Prosecutor Louise Pryke told the court: “The conversations were of a highly sexual nature and extremely graphic. Some of the calls lasted up to an hour.
“During the calls, they expressed their love for each other, discussed getting married, having children and life after Ryan Horan got out of prison.
“Ryan Horan also wrote the defendant highly sexual letters, which were found in her bedroom on her arrest.
“The defendant also became heavily involved with Ryan Horan’s mother, visiting her to her home in Sheffield and exchanging over 900 WhatsApp messages with her.”
Following her arrest, police discovered £1,000 in cash, which Gibson claimed to have withdrawn from her bank to save for a tattoo, but checks revealed the money was never taken out.
Officers also found explicit love letters at Gibson’s home including one that showed Horan thanking her for a vape and praising her kissing.
The court heard she was also suspected of being in contact with Michael Holt, part of a crime gang believed to be funnelling cannabis vapes into the prison.
His brother, Shaun Holt, was serving time at Wealstun while Gibson was employed there.
Further intelligence suggested Gibson had also engaged in “improper behaviour” with two more inmates – armed robbers Sery Tokro and Wayne Coleman, it was said.
Sentencing, Judge Kate Rayfield told her: “Almost immediately, intelligence reports were being filed about your conduct at work, and in just five short months, 102 corruption reports were logged.
“They included concerns that you were attempting to bring in contraband into the prison, and also becoming over-familiar with some prisoners, spending too much time in their cells with them when you were supposed to be on active duty.
“I am not sentencing you for any of the events which led to those corruption reports, and note that no findings were made against you, but they are relevant because they caused leadership staff to become involved with you.
“Despite this repeated disciplinary action, in which it was made abundantly clear what your employer’s concerns were, you embarked upon a relationship with prisoner Ryan Horan.”
The sentencing comes after prison officer Rebecca Pinckard, 46, yesterday pleaded guilty to performing a sex act on an inmate.
She had got involved with the lag during her time at HMP Highpoint in Stradishall, Suffolk.
