Scandal Behind Bars: Prison Officers Jailed for Forbidden Love Affairs with Gangster Inmates

Two female prison officers, Jai Gascoyne and Elle Walton, developed secret and inappropriate relationships with two gangster brothers, Dil Nawaz and Haq Nawaz, who were inmates at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale. The brothers had been transferred to the Category C jail, which houses over 450 prisoners and employs approximately 200 staff, after receiving lengthy sentences in 2023 for their leading roles in a Lancashire drug gang responsible for distributing between £2.15 million and £3.1 million worth of crack cocaine and heroin over a 12-month period. The gang was described as controlling "an army of drug dealers and runners."

Jai Gascoyne, 25, who began working at Buckley Hall in August 2021, admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Dil Nawaz, 30, between January 20 and April 4, 2024. Elle Walton, 27, employed since January 2023, admitted to a similar relationship with Haq Nawaz, 32, between January 21 and March 16, 2024. Both officers had undergone extensive security training, including modules on corruption prevention and the consequences of personal involvement with prisoners. Prosecutor Philip Hall noted that Walton had even mentioned the consequences of wrongdoing could involve a prison sentence, highlighting their awareness of the rules.

An investigation was initiated after the anti-corruption unit received "intelligence" regarding relationships between the drug dealers and the officers. On March 28, 2024, a search of Gascoyne as she entered the prison revealed she was wearing two necklaces: one engraved with the letter 'D' and another with an Arabic script, which was later identified as an 'Islamic prayer for protection' from the Quran. Gascoyne initially tried to explain 'D' was a reference to her dad. Further investigation found that Gascoyne had purchased matching necklaces and bracelets on Amazon, with a similar set discovered in Dil Nawaz’s cell later that day. A "love letter" card addressed to him, signed "I will always love you," and a ring were found in Gascoyne’s car. Dil Nawaz was found wearing a "silver bracelet with J on a love heart pendant" and a necklace "identical" to Gascoyne’s. Similarly, Haq Nawaz’s cell search revealed he was wearing a chain with the letter ‘E’ and a Valentine's card.

Phone records confirmed that Gascoyne and Walton used their personal mobile phones to contact illicit mobile phones used by Dil and Haq Nawaz inside the prison. Dil Nawaz and Walton had 462 contacts via phone or text, while Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz had 382 contacts; these figures did not include WhatsApp or Snapchat messages. The officers sometimes used pseudonyms like 'Nathan' for Haq and 'Daniel' for Dil, though they occasionally "slipped up" and used their real names. Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz exchanged messages on Snapchat expressing love and discussing physical intimacy, including his desire to have sex with her and suggestions for taking him to the chapel or opening his door. Walton wished Haq Nawaz a happy birthday on Snapchat. The women often discussed their relationships with each other, referring to themselves as "Mrs N." It was clear that each knew of the other's inappropriate relationship and supported each other.

Prosecutors noted that Gascoyne was aware of the brothers' criminal background, having accessed a news article about their case and searched for "Preston gangster list." Gascoyne also provided her bank details to Dil Nawaz, receiving payments of £80 and £130 from his sister's account. Walton received payments totaling £850 (£500, £100, and £250) from an associate of Haq Nawaz. Despite receiving money, the relationships did not become sexual, and the officers did not smuggle contraband on behalf of the brothers, as accepted by prosecutors.

In addition to the relationship with Dil Nawaz, Gascoyne also pleaded guilty to an inappropriate relationship with another prisoner named Michael Haigh, in the early hours of March 28, 2024. Messages showed Haigh asking Gascoyne for a "cuddle in his cell," to which she responded affirmatively, including a "goodbye cuddle." Walton also made suspicious online searches, including "Styal prison cells," "can an ex prison officer visit a prisoner," and "prison officer accused of inappropriate relationship," suggesting an intent to maintain contact or explore consequences. Both women resigned from their roles, and it was later found that visits had been arranged for them to see the Nawaz brothers at other prisons.

The judge, Recorder Ben Lawrence, emphasized the need for a deterrent sentence to "send a message out to female prison officers who may be tempted to do the same." He stated that both women were "well aware" of the prohibition against relationships with prisoners and had "deliberately failed in their duty to protect the integrity of the prison system." He concluded that Gascoyne’s search for a "Preston gangster list" suggested she may have found "their offending in some way impressive and exciting," and stated they had "undermined that trust in the most devastating way."

Defence lawyers highlighted the officers' remorse and good character. Michael O’Brien, defending Walton, described her as "kind, caring and hard working," with her actions being "entirely out of character." Nick Cockrell, defending Gascoyne, stated her remorse was "genuine." Lawyers for the brothers also offered context: Gaby McGrath, for Dil Nawaz, said his "head was all over the place" after his sentence and the relationship "came out of nowhere." Mark Stephenson, for Haq Nawaz, described him and Walton acting like "lovesick teenagers," with Haq struggling with his long sentence and feeling isolated.

For their misconduct in a public office, Jai Gascoyne, of Chapel Street, Dukinfield, pleaded guilty to two counts and was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Elle Walton, of Gordon Street, Bacup, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to one count and received 13 months in prison. Both will serve up to 40 percent of their sentences. Dil Nawaz, previously of Preston, Lancashire, and Haq Nawaz, previously of Leyland, Lancashire, both pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence (misconduct in public office) and possessing a prohibited item in prison. They each had a year added to their existing sentences; Dil Nawaz’s total sentence became 14 years and ten months (previously 13 years and ten months), and Haq Nawaz’s became 13 years (previously 12 years) for their roles in the class A drug conspiracy.