Two prison officers who engaged in illicit affairs with brothers convicted of running a multi-million pound drugs operation have been sentenced to prison themselves. Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, both friends outside of their jobs, were working at Buckley Hall Prison near Rochdale when they developed relationships with inmates they were tasked with guarding.
Gascoyne became romantically involved with prisoner Dil Nawaz, 30, in January 2024. Around the same time, Walton began a relationship with Dil Nawaz's brother, Haq Nawaz, 32. Both officers also had inappropriate contact with other prisoners during their time at Buckley Hall.
The court heard that the two couples exchanged hundreds of messages, swapped gifts and money, and wore jewelry bearing each other's initials. In communications between Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz, they expressed declarations of love, with Dil Nawaz discussing desires to be intimate with her and for her to grant him access within the prison.
Recorder Ben Lawrence sentenced Gascoyne to 16 months and Walton to 13 months in prison, stating that their actions undermine public faith in the prison system. He emphasized the need for deterrent sentences to discourage other prison officers from engaging in similar misconduct. Gascoyne's case was considered more serious due to her alleged relationships with three prisoners.
An investigation began after prison anti-corruption officials received intelligence. Gascoyne was stopped during a staff behavior detection operation and found to be wearing necklaces with engraved initials and Arabic script, which was believed to be an Islamic prayer for protection, potentially linked to Dil Nawaz's faith. She later admitted to ordering bracelets and necklaces.
During searches of the inmates' cells, Dil Nawaz was found wearing a bracelet and necklace with a love-heart pendant bearing the initial 'J', while Haq Nawaz wore a chain inscribed with the letter 'E'. Valentine's cards and a love letter were also discovered, along with a ring in a box found in Gascoyne's car.
Investigators found that Gascoyne had created images on her phone superimposing her face with Dil Nawaz's. Both officers reportedly used pseudonyms for the brothers but sometimes made mistakes, indicating they were aware of each other's inappropriate relationships. Gascoyne also conducted internet searches on the brothers, showing she was aware of their criminal activities. Both officers received cash payments via one of Walton's sisters.
Gascoyne pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office, while Walton admitted to one count of misconduct in public office. The Nawaz brothers pleaded guilty to encouraging and assisting in misconduct in public office and possessing a mobile phone in prison. All offenses occurred between January and April 2024.
Defenders for Walton and Gascoyne argued for remorse and mitigating factors, citing their youth and previous good character. The defense for the Nawaz brothers stated that their relationships were not premeditated, with Dil Nawaz seeking companionship after a prison assault and Haq Nawaz seeking someone to talk to due to family isolation.
In September 2023, Haq Nawaz was sentenced to 13 years and ten months, and Dil Nawaz to 12 years, for heading an organized crime group involved in distributing an estimated £2.15 million to £3.1 million worth of crack cocaine and heroin. Their operation, which utilized drug lines and exploited juveniles, led to 30 arrests and a combined total of 132 years in prison sentences for those involved.