Prison Officer's 'Praying for Babies' Texts to Inmate in 'Worst Case' Scandal

A prison officer told an inmate "I'm literally praying to have your babies" during a three-year romantic relationship, while smuggling contraband and acting as his "link to outside", Sheffield Crown Court has heard in what the judge described as "arguably the worst case" of its kind.

Intimate Messages and Smuggling Revealed

Charlotte Winstanley, 27, engaged in a "romantic and intimate" relationship with gang member Jabhari Blair, 30, while working at HMP Lindholme near Doncaster. The court heard she smuggled a mobile phone into the prison, enabling them to exchange intimate photos and videos, with texts referring to Mondays as their "date nights".

Prosecutor Aaron Dinnes presented messages including:

"I'm literally praying to have your babies" from Winstanley to Blair.
"Life starts now, baby. Every sacrifice I make I do so I can be with you" from Winstanley.
"I love my job but I love you more" from Winstanley.
Blair expressing he "can't wait to give Miss Winstanley a beautiful baby".

Prison cameras captured intimate moments of them touching and disappearing into rooms together, the court was told.

Serious Breaches of Security and Trust

Winstanley acted as Blair's "link to outside", taking an Argos shopping list for him and visiting his mother in Leeds. She tipped him off about:

Prisoner movements.
Other inmates' healthcare.
A search of his own cell.

This was particularly grave as Blair, jailed for 12-and-a-half years in 2014 for violence, belonged to an organised crime group. He pledged to use prison contacts to ensure Winstanley "remain protected" and had someone ready to fight if needed.

Defence Cites Lack of Maturity

Defending Winstanley, Khadim Al'Hassan told the court she was only 22 when she started work at the prison and Blair was her first boyfriend since her teens. He argued her lack of maturity and life experience was a "recipe for disaster", noting she had only finished prison officer training in April 2022, which included specific focus on relationships and corruption.

Judge's Stern Remarks and Sentencing

Judge Jeremy Richardson KC told Winstanley and Blair: "This is arguably the worst case of its kind I have personally dealt with. It must be immediate custody but I'm not sure I should rush to judgment." He remanded both in custody, with sentencing scheduled for Monday after further consideration.

To Winstanley, who cried in the dock, he said: "For a prison officer, young or old, to have conducted a sexual affair with a prisoner is bad enough. For it to be over a prolonged period of time worsens the matter. And, then, to be a party to smuggling in various items and to brazen it out when prison officials raise issues and give you an opportunity to confess - and it gets worse."

He told Blair he had "corrupted a prison officer" and this was "about as bad as it gets".