Two former prison officers have been jailed after having illicit relationships with a pair of brothers serving lengthy sentences for running a multi-million-pound Class A drugs operation.
Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, were working at HMP Buckley Hall, near Rochdale, when they became involved with Dil Nawaz, 30, and Haq Nawaz, 32, Manchester Crown Court heard.
The women, who were friends outside work and socialised together, carried on the relationships between January and April 2024.
Gascoyne became romantically involved with Dil Nawaz and was also found to have had inappropriate contact with two other prisoners. At around the same time, Walton began a relationship with Dil’s brother Haq.
Recorder Ben Lawrence sentenced Gascoyne to 16 months in prison and Walton to 13 months, telling the court their offending undermined public confidence in the prison system.
The judge said the seriousness of the offending “strikes at the heart of the public faith in the prison system” and that deterrent sentences were necessary to protect the trust placed in prison officers.
He said such sentences were required so that “the next young female prison officer who considers starting a relationship with a prisoner may think twice” after learning that imprisonment could follow.
Gascoyne’s offending was considered more serious because of her inappropriate involvement with three prisoners.
Philip Hall, prosecuting, said an investigation was launched after prison anti-corruption officials received intelligence about the relationships.
The court heard that Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz exchanged hundreds of messages and declared their love for each other. Messages also included discussions about wanting to have sex and possible opportunities for the pair to be alone inside the prison.
Investigators subsequently searched Dil Nawaz’s cell and found him wearing a silver bracelet and necklace. Both carried a heart pendant containing the initial “J”. Gascoyne possessed an identical necklace.
A Valentine’s card ending with “I love you always” was also discovered, while investigators recovered a love letter from Gascoyne’s car carrying the same message, along with a ring in a box.
Evidence of Walton’s relationship with Haq Nawaz was also discovered. When his cell was searched, officers found him wearing a chain inscribed with the letter “E”, while a Valentine’s card was also seized.
The court heard that Gascoyne had created images on her phone in which her face had been superimposed alongside images of Dil Nawaz.
The two women used pseudonyms when referring to the brothers but would sometimes mistakenly use identifying information, prosecutors said.
Hall told the court it was clear each woman knew about the other’s inappropriate relationship and that they supported one another during the offending.
Both women also received cash payments through one of their sisters.
Gascoyne was stopped as part of a staff “behaviour detection operation” and searched. No contraband was discovered, but officers found her wearing two necklaces, one engraved with the letter “D” and another carrying Arabic script.
She said the “D” represented her father but could not explain the meaning of the other necklace. The court was told investigators believed the Arabic inscription was connected to Dil Nawaz’s Muslim faith and contained a Quranic verse associated with protection.
The investigation subsequently established that Gascoyne had placed an Amazon order for two bracelets and two necklaces with pendants.
Both women declined to answer questions when initially questioned about the relationships.
Gascoyne, from Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, later pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office. Walton, from Bacup, Lancashire, admitted one count of misconduct in public office at an earlier hearing.
Michael O’Brien, representing Walton, told the court that her relationship had not become sexual and was not intended to compromise the security or integrity of the prison.
He said Walton deeply regretted her actions, was remorseful and had previously been of good character. The court was also told she cared for a relative who uses a wheelchair and intended to pursue a career as a hairdresser.
Nick Cockrell, representing Gascoyne, said her remorse was genuine and asked the court to consider her youth at the time of the offences and the length of time taken to bring the proceedings to court.
The court was told that neither Nawaz brother had initially planned to enter into a relationship with the officers.
Dil Nawaz was said to have sought companionship after his mental health deteriorated following an attack in prison. Haq Nawaz had become isolated from his family and initially wanted somebody to talk to before his relationship with Walton became more serious.
It was also submitted that neither brother had persuaded the women to smuggle items into the prison.
Dil and Haq Nawaz each pleaded guilty to encouraging and assisting the commission of misconduct in public office and possessing a mobile phone in prison. Both received an additional 12 months in prison.
The brothers were already serving substantial sentences for their roles in an organised crime group.
Haq Nawaz was jailed for 13 years and ten months in September 2023, while Dil Nawaz received a 12-year sentence. Together with their brother Asim Nawaz, they headed an organised crime group responsible for distributing large quantities of crack cocaine and heroin.
The operation was estimated to have distributed between £2.15 million and £3.1 million worth of Class A drugs over a 12-month period.
The group controlled an extensive network of dealers and runners operating at street level in Chorley and Preston, including juveniles who had been exploited by the organisation.
Several mobile telephone numbers were operated as drug lines, advertising narcotics for sale and receiving orders from customers.
The wider investigation into the drugs operation resulted in 30 people being arrested and charged. Those convicted received combined prison sentences totalling 132 years.