A teenage prison officer has admitted to a series of serious offences, including having a sexual relationship with an inmate and smuggling contraband into a Category C jail.
Guilty Pleas Entered in Court
Alicia Novas, aged 19, and inmate Declan Winkless, 30, appeared in court today where they both pleaded guilty to multiple charges. The offences took place over an eight-month period between August of last year and March of this year.
During a short hearing, prosecutors outlined that the pair had engaged in a sexual relationship. While the full facts were not detailed in court, the admissions made the nature of the misconduct clear.
Contraband Smuggled into Prison
Novas confessed to several specific acts of misconduct. She admitted to smuggling cannabis and two mobile phones into HMP Five Wells, a prison in Northamptonshire.
Further charges arose from her decision to give her personal phone number to Winkless and her subsequent failure to report that he was in possession of a phone and drugs within the prison.
Winkless, who has since been moved to HMP Swaleside in Kent, also pleaded guilty to charges connected to these offences. He admitted an additional charge of possessing a mobile phone with a SIM card without authorisation.
Remanded Ahead of Sentencing
Following the hearing, Novas was remanded into custody. She had previously been on conditional bail. Both defendants are now awaiting their fate, with sentencing scheduled for January 5.
The case highlights a severe breach of trust and security within the prison system, involving illicit items and a prohibited relationship between a officer and a prisoner.
