Why Am I Still Being Punished After the Charge Was Not Pursued?

 It came as quite a surprise that, shortly after I published a prison voice recording and a song about the person I have described as my stalker, my cell was searched on 16 July 2026. I was told that the search was based on “intelligence.” Soon afterwards, I was also informed that I had been assigned a new probation officer.

On 16 July 2026, my cell at HMP Berwyn was “spun,” meaning that it was searched.

During the search, staff found a Sony MiniDisc Walkman that I purchased approximately 19 years ago. I have had this device in several different prisons, including Category A prisons.

When I arrived at HMP Berwyn around 12 months ago, the MiniDisc player was recorded on my property card and issued to me by the prison. It was therefore not something I had secretly brought into the prison or deliberately concealed.

While I was living on my previous wing, my cell was also searched by the Dedicated Search Team, reportedly while they were looking for mobile phones following alleged “intelligence” connected to the person I have described as my stalker.

Following the search on 16 July, my incentive level was reduced from Enhanced to Basic.

For readers who may not understand the prison incentives system, Enhanced is the highest level, while Basic is the minimum level. I was reduced directly from the highest level to the lowest level because I possessed a MiniDisc player that HMP Berwyn had recorded on my property card and issued to me.

I believe this was disproportionate and represents a misuse of authority.

I was also placed on report over the incident. However, the adjudication was later marked as “not proceeded with.” I have not been given a clear explanation for why it was not pursued.

The relevant national policy states:

“An immediate incentive level review should be undertaken for serious single incidents of bad behaviour, for example such incidents that were serious enough to lead to an adjudication for an offence involving violence to staff or prisoners, drugs, possession of a mobile phone, abscond or possession of a weapon.”

It continues:

“The review should consider outcomes which follow from adjudications in relation to the same incident to ensure that the overall response to bad behaviour is not disproportionate.”

Most importantly, the policy states:

“If any adjudication is subsequently quashed on appeal, dismissed or not ‘proceeded with’, a further review should take place to determine the prisoner’s appropriate incentives level.”

The policy also states:

“Appeals must be considered by a more senior member of staff than the person who took the decision that is being challenged.”

This leaves several important questions that HMP Berwyn and the relevant authorities should answer.

Why am I still being kept on Basic when the adjudication was not proceeded with?

Has the required further review of my incentive level taken place?

Who made the original decision to reduce me to Basic, and who reviewed my appeal?

Why am I being punished for possessing an item that HMP Berwyn itself recorded, authorised and issued to me?

I am asking for a clear explanation, a proper review of the decision and confirmation that the national policy has been followed.

Until those questions are answered, I believe I am continuing to be punished for an incident that was not pursued and that arose because the prison issued me the property in the first place.

A Request for Independent Scrutiny

I am asking anyone in a position of authority—including legal professionals, representatives from the Ministry of Justice, prison oversight bodies and Members of Parliament—to examine this case.

I believe the way this matter has been handled raises serious concerns about possible misconduct, misuse of authority and abuse of power by public officials. I am asking for an independent investigation into the decisions made, whether the relevant national policies were followed and why I remain on Basic despite the adjudication being marked as “not proceeded with.”

Anyone who is able to offer legal assistance, investigate this matter or raise it with the appropriate authorities can contact me at: voiceforcons@gmail.com

Police officer who killed himself was violent rapist who tried to murder women

 A Police Scotland officer killed himself after being revealed as a violent rapist who tried to murder women.

The force is investigating complaints of serious sexual offending and attempted murder by PC Alan Greer, who died in May this year.

A significant investigation was launched at the end of 2025 after a complaint was received relating to a non-recent serious sexual assault being carried out by an unidentified officer.

Police Scotland said extensive enquiries were carried out by detectives from the Anti-Corruption Unit to identify the officer and Greer was arrested.

Further investigations identified a number of victims of serious sexual offending by Greer, who are now being supported by specialist officers and partner agencies.

The 47-year-old was arrested on Friday, April 24, after officers from the Anti-Corruption Unit searched a property in the Wishaw area.

He was released without charge pending further investigation and was suspended from duty at that time with full welfare support in place, Police Scotland said.

A number of electronic devices were seized during the search and enquiries into the contents of those are continuing.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, officers were called to the same property where Greer was found deceased.

There were said to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. STV News understands that he killed himself.

The circumstances of the death following police contact are the subject of a Crown Office-directed investigation by the police watchdog PIRC (Police Investigations and Review Commissioner).

’14-year campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder’

Greer’s campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder spanned a period of more than 14 years, according to a BBC Disclosure investigation.

His first known victim was a woman he raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 after she called the police to report a crime.

According to the report, he returned to the woman’s home alone hours after attending the call and raped her.

She reported the attack by Greer late last year, sparking the investigation.

Detectives, during the course of enquiries, have identified eight more victims, five of whom were sex workers who were attacked while Greer was off duty.

He used hundreds of prostitutes throughout his police career and officers are urging for victims to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff, professionalism and assurance, said: “My thoughts, firstly, are with the victims in this case who have spoken up and reported these allegations, as well as with Alan Greer’s family, friends and colleagues who have been deeply affected by these reports and his death.

“The investigation into this matter is one of the largest and most complex enquiries ever undertaken by the Anti-Corruption Unit and significant work is ongoing to fully ascertain the extent of offending and identify and support as many victims as possible.

“Clearly, Alan Greer cannot stand trial for these allegations of serious violent sexual offending, including attempted murder, but this investigation is about identifying and supporting potential victims, giving them a voice, and establishing the full circumstances.

“It is essential that members of the public, victims, and witnesses feel confident speaking with the police and know the overwhelming majority of our officers serve with professionalism and integrity to protect people, investigate matters, and bring offenders to justice.

“I would encourage anyone with any information or who may be a victim in this case to please come forward and speak to us. You will be listened to and given the support you need.

“In recent years, and advanced by Lady Elish Angiolini’s review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues published in 2020, there has been a Scotland-wide focus on police ethics, conduct and scrutiny.

“Police Scotland has fully engaged with a range of developments and our commitment to safeguarding policing’s integrity has never been stronger.”

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, officers were called to the same property where Greer was found deceased.

There were said to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death. STV News understands that he killed himself.

The circumstances of the death following police contact are the subject of a Crown Office-directed investigation by the police watchdog PIRC (Police Investigations and Review Commissioner).

’14-year campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder’

Greer’s campaign of sexual assault and attempted murder spanned a period of more than 14 years, according to a BBC Disclosure investigation.

His first known victim was a woman he raped in her home in Glasgow in 2012 after she called the police to report a crime.

According to the report, he returned to the woman’s home alone hours after attending the call and raped her.

She reported the attack by Greer late last year, sparking the investigation.

Detectives, during the course of enquiries, have identified eight more victims, five of whom were sex workers who were attacked while Greer was off duty.

He used hundreds of prostitutes throughout his police career and officers are urging for victims to come forward.

Assistant Chief Constable Lynn Ratcliff, professionalism and assurance, said: “My thoughts, firstly, are with the victims in this case who have spoken up and reported these allegations, as well as with Alan Greer’s family, friends and colleagues who have been deeply affected by these reports and his death.

“The investigation into this matter is one of the largest and most complex enquiries ever undertaken by the Anti-Corruption Unit and significant work is ongoing to fully ascertain the extent of offending and identify and support as many victims as possible.

“Clearly, Alan Greer cannot stand trial for these allegations of serious violent sexual offending, including attempted murder, but this investigation is about identifying and supporting potential victims, giving them a voice, and establishing the full circumstances.

“It is essential that members of the public, victims, and witnesses feel confident speaking with the police and know the overwhelming majority of our officers serve with professionalism and integrity to protect people, investigate matters, and bring offenders to justice.

“I would encourage anyone with any information or who may be a victim in this case to please come forward and speak to us. You will be listened to and given the support you need.

“In recent years, and advanced by Lady Elish Angiolini’s review of Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues published in 2020, there has been a Scotland-wide focus on police ethics, conduct and scrutiny.

“Police Scotland has fully engaged with a range of developments and our commitment to safeguarding policing’s integrity has never been stronger.”

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana appears to be manipulating the system, families' lawyer says

 A lawyer for the families of the children murdered by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has said his transfer from prison to a psychiatric hospital may be an attempt to "manipulate the system".

Rudakubana, 19, was given a life sentence for the murder of three children - Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 - and attempted murder of eight other children and two adults.

On Thursday, he was moved from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

Prisoners who are considered to present a risk to staff, inmates or themselves because of mental disorders can be moved to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Next Wednesday marks two years since Rudakubana carried out the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2024.

Lawyer Chris Walker, who represents the three bereaved families, said they "don't believe the merits" of the transfer on the basis of a mental health issue and is calling for more information from ministers.

"In my mind this is a new event, this is something which occurred whilst he was at prison, and we at this stage don't believe the merits of it in terms of him because I've seen no evidence at all until today which suggests he has a significant mental health disorder," Walker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He added: "We do have an evil person but being evil does not mean that you're suffering with psychosis of some sort.

"We need to know is this a single event, is this a recurring event, is this him playing the system and we need those answers."

The Prison Officers' Association told the BBC that Rudakubana was transferred due to a deterioration in his mental health.

Walker added in a separate statement that the news would "devastate" the families at any time but "the fact that this has occurred as we approach the second anniversary in our view is another move by AR who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system".

He continued: "We have been given the barest of details and whilst we are supporting the families through this we are urgently seeking a meeting with the appropriate authorities to understand the situation before commenting further."

A lawyer for the families of the attack's survivors said they did not want to give "notoriety" to Rudakubana and that attention should be focused on supporting the children around the anniversary.

Nicola Ryan-Donnelly of Fletchers Solicitors said: "The focus of public outrage should not be on moves that this perpetrator has made, it should be examining how we are two years on from this attack and some of these girls are still not receiving the proper psychological care and support that they should be to recover from this."

Prior to Rudakubana's sentencing last year, his defence lawyer told the court no psychiatric evidence could suggest a mental disorder contributed to his actions.

The court also heard how Rudakubana presented as having high functioning autism and did not have any associated learning disabilities.

Stan Reiz KC added that his client had appeared to have been a "normal child" until he reached 13, adding: "However, he did make a transition from a normal, well-disciplined child to someone who was capable of committing acts of such shocking and senseless violence."

Rudakubana was deemed mentally fit to be detained, interviewed and stand trial. His late guilty plea meant his mental health was not discussed in detail in court during a trial.

He was given a 52-year prison sentence in January 2025 but the judge was unable to impose a whole life order due to Rudakubana being 17 when he carried out the attack. He will likely never be released.

A lawyer for the families of the children murdered by Southport killer Axel Rudakubana has said his transfer from prison to a psychiatric hospital may be an attempt to "manipulate the system".

Rudakubana, 19, was given a life sentence for the murder of three children - Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7 - and attempted murder of eight other children and two adults.

On Thursday, he was moved from HMP Belmarsh to Broadmoor psychiatric hospital in Berkshire.

Prisoners who are considered to present a risk to staff, inmates or themselves because of mental disorders can be moved to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Next Wednesday marks two years since Rudakubana carried out the attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on 29 July 2024.

Lawyer Chris Walker, who represents the three bereaved families, said they "don't believe the merits" of the transfer on the basis of a mental health issue and is calling for more information from ministers.

"In my mind this is a new event, this is something which occurred whilst he was at prison, and we at this stage don't believe the merits of it in terms of him because I've seen no evidence at all until today which suggests he has a significant mental health disorder," Walker told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He added: "We do have an evil person but being evil does not mean that you're suffering with psychosis of some sort.

"We need to know is this a single event, is this a recurring event, is this him playing the system and we need those answers."

The Prison Officers' Association told the BBC that Rudakubana was transferred due to a deterioration in his mental health.

Walker added in a separate statement that the news would "devastate" the families at any time but "the fact that this has occurred as we approach the second anniversary in our view is another move by AR who would appear to be attempting, once again, to manipulate the system".

He continued: "We have been given the barest of details and whilst we are supporting the families through this we are urgently seeking a meeting with the appropriate authorities to understand the situation before commenting further."

A lawyer for the families of the attack's survivors said they did not want to give "notoriety" to Rudakubana and that attention should be focused on supporting the children around the anniversary.

Nicola Ryan-Donnelly of Fletchers Solicitors said: "The focus of public outrage should not be on moves that this perpetrator has made, it should be examining how we are two years on from this attack and some of these girls are still not receiving the proper psychological care and support that they should be to recover from this."

Prior to Rudakubana's sentencing last year, his defence lawyer told the court no psychiatric evidence could suggest a mental disorder contributed to his actions.

The court also heard how Rudakubana presented as having high functioning autism and did not have any associated learning disabilities.

Stan Reiz KC added that his client had appeared to have been a "normal child" until he reached 13, adding: "However, he did make a transition from a normal, well-disciplined child to someone who was capable of committing acts of such shocking and senseless violence."

Rudakubana was deemed mentally fit to be detained, interviewed and stand trial. His late guilty plea meant his mental health was not discussed in detail in court during a trial.

He was given a 52-year prison sentence in January 2025 but the judge was unable to impose a whole life order due to Rudakubana being 17 when he carried out the attack. He will likely never be released.

PC dismissed for failing to store knife and ammo

 An officer has been dismissed by Sussex Police after failing to properly store ammunition and a knife seized at Gatwick Airport.

Oliver Kirkup, formerly a police constable serving at the airport, was found to have failed to process and store ammunition.

A disciplinary hearing on 20 July also found that Kirkup had not correctly recorded a seized butterfly knife from the airport, and that both allegations, dating between July and August 2024, amounted to gross misconduct.

Kirkup will also be banned from returning to policing in the future.

Superintendent Fash Mohammadi said: "The actions of this officer on these occasions were not in line with the values and standards that we expect, lacking honesty and integrity.

"All staff are aware of the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and the force remains committed to holding officers to account where they fall below the high standards the public rightly expect."

Kirkup was also accused of not wearing his uniform hat and falsely stating that the replacement hat he ordered had been received, but this was not proved.

Prison officer spared jail for inmate relationship

A prison officer who had a romantic relationship with an inmate has been given a suspended prison sentence.

Rosie Smith, 28, was spared jail at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday having previously admitted misconduct in a public office over her months-long affar with Marli Casaletto, from Brighton, while she worked at HMP Rochester.

A court heard the pair exchanged around 300 phone calls between January and November 2023, as well as video calls, but were discovered when screenshots were found on Smith's phone.

Sentencing the pair, Judge Lee Harris said: "To say this was stupid is an understatement, it was much worse than that."

He added: "You both entered into this relationship with your eyes open... and knowing what you were doing was wrong."

'Love of my life'

The court heard how Casaletto, 32, used three different phones while inside the prison, which he switched around one after another.

In messages to the defendant's mother, she also said: "Obviously doesn't look great me saying he's in prison and not only does that look bad I also work there".

She also wrote: "Wish I never worked where I did and all of this wouldn't have been an issue."

Handwritten letters were found at Smith's home address, including some from the prisoner, and some written by her, in which she described him as the "love of my life" and said: "Cannot wait to see what our future holds together."

Smith received a 24-month suspended sentence, while Casaletto was given an eight month suspended sentence for unauthorised transmission of an image or sound by electric communication from within a prison.

Both Casaletto an Smith had pleaded guilty to the offences at earlier hearings.

Smith, of The Street, Pluckley, Ashford in Kent, was emotional in the dock throughout the sentencing hearing.

On deciding not to hand down immediate jail terms, Judge Harris said he had taken the "exceptional course for slightly different reasons for both of you".

Of Smith, he said: "You have no previous offending, I am confident on the report I've seen you won't offend again.

"There is very strong personal mitigation for you."

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has recently referred another ‘Imprisonment for Public Protection’ (IPP) case to the Court of Appeal after reviewing the sentence of a man who has spent 16 years in custody despite receiving a minimum term of only three years. This case is the seventh IPP or Detention for Public Protection (DPP) sentence referred by the CCRC to the Court of Appeal since the beginning of 2026. It forms part of a wider CCRC review into people serving indeterminate public protection sentences. Up to 180 cases with IPP and DPP sentences imposed on children and young adults are currently being investigated by the CCRC. IPP sentences of are indeterminate sentences, intended for serious offenders who were considered “dangerous” to the public, but whose crimes did not merit a life sentence. DPP sentences applied to people under 18 who were considered dangerous, while IPP sentences applied to adults. Both carried indeterminate sentences, meaning people could remain in custody indefinitely if they were not considered safe for release. In this most recent case, the man was convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and false imprisonment. He was 18 years old at the time of the offence. The court gave him a Detention for Public Protection sentence, often called a DPP, with a minimum tariff of three years. Although the minimum term expired many years ago, the man remains in prison. The CCRC has now concluded there is a real possibility that the Court of Appeal will decide the original sentence was flawed because too little weight was given to his age and maturity when judges assessed his future risk. The man previously appealed against his sentence, but the appeal was rejected. He then applied to the CCRC in March 2025. We will update you with more details when we have received the judgment. Background Recent Court of Appeal rulings have increased scrutiny of IPP and DPP sentences imposed on young offenders. In several judgments, appeal judges found sentencing courts had not properly considered the age and emotional development of defendants before imposing indefinite detention. Earlier Court of Appeal Decisions On 23 April 2026, the Court of Appeal quashed the indeterminate sentences of six prisoners serving IPP or DPP sentences. Three of those referrals came directly from the CCRC. All three individuals were sentenced more than 15 years ago when they were young men, and none had received tariffs longer than three and a half years. The CCRC has welcomed those decisions and is encouraging other people in similar situations to contact the Commission, particularly if they have already lost an appeal. IPP and DPP sentences were abolished in 2012 after widespread criticism. However, abolition did not automatically release existing prisoners from the conditions attached to their sentences. Many people remained in prison years beyond their original tariffs. CCRC’s visit to HMP Send Alongside its casework, the CCRC has continued its outreach work in prisons. Last month, members of our female outreach team attended a women’s prison forum at HMP Send, to raise awareness, discuss concerns, or any barriers that may prevent women from seeking our help or contacting us. It was a real pleasure for us to speak to the women who attended the forum and to listen to their concerns, and answer the many insightful questions they had. We learn a great deal from attending these forums about how we could communicate better with the women who may need the CCRC’s help.

 This was day three of the Burnham administration delivering an early morning nugget of news: business rates in England today, bus fares in England yesterday, a VAT cut on electricity bills the day before.

The clear intention: To reprioritise, as Andy Burnham puts it. Give people "breathing space", to quote perhaps his most repeated phrase of his opening week in power.

Alongside the announcements, a blitz of calls to fellow leaders and – as ever – responding to events.

First, domestic - Burnham’s intervention this afternoon on the early release of prisoners in England and Wales demanding a pause, a case study in the dilemmas of governing: Crowded prisons and difficult choices between least worst options – which criminals to free first.

Second, the prime minister must brace himself for major developments on the international front.

After he renewed the sanctioning of British bases for what is called “defensive purposes” - as was originally agreed by Sir Keir Starmer - Iran is claiming they have become legitimate targets... while the oil price is spiking.

Life for Burnham is unlikely to slow down.

Criminal Cases Review Commission refers seventh IPP sentencing case

 The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) has recently referred another ‘Imprisonment for Public Protection’ (IPP) case to the Court of Appeal after reviewing the sentence of a man who has spent 16 years in custody despite receiving a minimum term of only three years.

This case is the seventh IPP or Detention for Public Protection (DPP) sentence referred by the CCRC to the Court of Appeal since the beginning of 2026.  It forms part of a wider CCRC review into people serving indeterminate public protection sentences.

Up to 180 cases with IPP and DPP sentences imposed on children and young adults are currently being investigated by the CCRC. IPP sentences of are indeterminate sentences, intended for serious offenders who were considered “dangerous” to the public, but whose crimes did not merit a life sentence. DPP sentences applied to people under 18 who were considered dangerous, while IPP sentences applied to adults.

Both carried indeterminate sentences, meaning people could remain in custody indefinitely if they were not considered safe for release.

In this most recent case, the man was convicted of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and false imprisonment. He was 18 years old at the time of the offence. The court gave him a Detention for Public Protection sentence, often called a DPP, with a minimum tariff of three years.

Although the minimum term expired many years ago, the man remains in prison.

The CCRC has now concluded there is a real possibility that the Court of Appeal will decide the original sentence was flawed because too little weight was given to his age and maturity when judges assessed his future risk. The man previously appealed against his sentence, but the appeal was rejected. He then applied to the CCRC in March 2025. We will update you with more details when we have received the judgment.

Background

Recent Court of Appeal rulings have increased scrutiny of IPP and DPP sentences imposed on young offenders. In several judgments, appeal judges found sentencing courts had not properly considered the age and emotional development of defendants before imposing indefinite detention.

Earlier Court of Appeal Decisions

On 23 April 2026, the Court of Appeal quashed the indeterminate sentences of six prisoners serving IPP or DPP sentences. Three of those referrals came directly from the CCRC. All three individuals were sentenced more than 15 years ago when they were young men, and none had received tariffs longer than three and a half years.

The CCRC has welcomed those decisions and is encouraging other people in similar situations to contact the Commission, particularly if they have already lost an appeal.

IPP and DPP sentences were abolished in 2012 after widespread criticism. However, abolition did not automatically release existing prisoners from the conditions attached to their sentences. Many people remained in prison years beyond their original tariffs.

CCRC’s visit to HMP Send

Alongside its casework, the CCRC has continued its outreach work in prisons. Last month, members of our female outreach team attended a women’s prison forum at HMP Send, to raise awareness, discuss concerns, or any barriers that may prevent women from seeking our help or contacting us. It was a real pleasure for us to speak to the women who attended the forum and to listen to their concerns, and answer the many insightful questions they had. We learn a great deal from attending these forums about how we could communicate better with the women who may need the CCRC’s help. 

Over the moon

 

Jail time for people who smuggled contraband into prison

 

In three separate cases, people have been convicted or sentenced for smuggling contraband into men’s prisons in England.

In the first case, a prisoner who formed an illicit sexual relationship with an officer at HMP Five Wells and encouraged her to smuggle drugs, tobacco and mobile phones into the jail for him had his sentence extended. The woman was aged 18 when she began working at Five Wells in July 2024, and she was arrested only five months later. In January this year the man was sentenced to three years and four months in prison, but the sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal as ‘unduly lenient’, and the appeal court increased it to five years. The new term will begin when the man’s present sentence ends in 2029.

In the second case, three men have been convicted of attempting to convey SD cards and USB sticks into HMP Lindholme. On 16 May 2023, prison officers discovered a bread bag with illicit items in it in the yard of the prison. The bag had been delivered by drone. The SD cards were examined and found to contain Islamic material of an extreme nature. The case was extensively investigated by specialist officers at Counter Terrorism Policing Northeast and prosecuted by the Yorkshire and Humberside Complex Casework Unit. The three will be sentenced at the end of July.

The third case involved two men who flew a drone over a prison to drop off drugs. Police responded to a drone incursion at HMP Lowdham Grange on 5 September 2023. CCTV footage showed a package being dropped into the grounds shortly after 4pm. Prison staff recovered the package and found it contained cannabis resin, deal bags and larger bags of cannabis, and a mobile phone. The two men were identified and arrested, and each received sentences of two years and three months.

More female prison officers admit illicit relationships

 In two unrelated court cases, female prison officers have pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after they formed illicit relationships with prisoners.

At HMP Buckley Hall, two brothers imprisoned for drug dealing each entered into relationships with women working as prison officers. The women, aged 25 and 27, appeared together in the dock at Manchester Crown Court on 23 June. Both pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office. No further details of the relationships were given, but the offences took place between January and April 2024.

The brothers, who appeared via videolink, are accused of entering into the relationships and encouraging and assisting in the commission of misconduct in public office. They were due to appear at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on July 7.

The women are due to be sentenced on 7 August. Whilst they had their bail extended, the judge warned them this is no indication of the sentence they are likely to receive.

In a separate case, a 29-year-old woman was sentenced to 16 months in prison for a relationship that started in October 2022 while she was a prison officer at HMP Whitemoor. It was discovered in spring 2023. Staff became suspicious of her behaviour at that time, and her mobile phone was seized showing messages between her and her lover. She too pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office.