Probation officer hid secret relationship with criminal

A probation officer failed to declare her relationship with a prisoner before being exposed by a card sent online.

- by Luke Beardsworth

Leonie Wilkinson did not disclose any conflict of interest when she applied for the role at HMP Preston or during the vetting period and formally started work in 2020.

But her relationship with career criminal Gary Hampson began in 2018 and was uncovered after a mobile phone was found in his cell and showed the pair had called, emailed and messaged each other-including the sending of an online card.

Wilkinson pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months.