I hope he was worth it. A female prison officer is facing a decade behind bars after embarking on an illicit affair with a violent inmate. Charlotte Winstanley, 27, had a “romantic relationship” with convicted thug Jabhari Blair, 29, during her time working at HMP Lindholme in South Yorkshire.
Winstanley smuggled in contraband, including a mobile phone and SD cards during the three-and-a-half month fling. The shamed former guard appeared at Sheffield Crown Court, where she admitted misconduct in public office by having a “romantic relation with a prisoner”.
The court was told the crime, which occurred between August and November 2022, carries a maximum 10-year sentence. Winstanley, of Stainforth, South Yorks, also admitted sending a photograph from inside the Category C prison in April last year.
Meanwhile, Blair – jailed for more than 12 years in 2014 for his role in a brutal street brawl – joined the hearing via video link from Lowdham Grange prison, near Nottingham, The criminal admitted possessing cannabis, a phone and a USB stick.
When told he would be sentenced on December 3, his 30th birthday, Blair told judge Megan Rhys: “Thanks for the birthday present”. Winstanley, who arrived at court clutching a prison bag, was granted bail until sentencing.
Her barrister Khadim Al-Hassan said she admitted the offences on the “full facts” and did not seek to “minimise her role”. “She’s made a full and frank disclosure.”
Blair, formerly of Rookwood Vale, Leeds, was aged 18 when he stabbed a man during a mass brawl in Bradford, West Yorks. The violence was described by the sentencing judge as ‘disgusting and sickening’ public disorder.
Blair had been nearing a parole hearing which would have paved the way for his release. Judge Rhys told the pair: “Jabhari Blair and Charlotte Winstanley, you’ve pleaded guilty and will therefore need to be sentenced. Sentence will take place on December 3.”
“Charlotte Winstanley, you can remain on bail as same terms as before but make sure you’re back in good time for sentencing. A failure to do so may lead to your arrest.”
At least 30 female prison guard have been given the sack in the past three years for forming improper relationships with prisoners. That compares to just nine women who lost their jobs for the same offence between 2017 and 2019.
