Prison Officer and Inmate Jailed in Shocking Age-Gap Scandal
A young former prison officer has been handed a three-year prison sentence after engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate, with the illicit affair captured on video and shared on social media. The scandal, which involved drug smuggling and the leaking of confidential information, has sent shockwaves through the prison system.
Details of the Illicit Relationship
Alicia Novas, aged 20, was just 18 when she began a brazen affair with Declan Winkless, a 31-year-old inmate serving an 11-year sentence for aggravated burglary. The relationship unfolded over four months at HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, where Novas had started working as a prison officer in summer 2024. The romance came to light in December 2024 after a search of Winkless' cell revealed a mobile phone with extensive communication between the pair.
Judge Rebecca Crane, sentencing at Northampton Crown Court, highlighted that two videos of Novas "having sexual intercourse in her prison uniform" were shared on Snapchat by Winkless and eventually reached the press. The court heard there were nearly 3,000 contacts between them during the indictment period, with Winkless using four illicit devices.
Smuggling and Information Leaks
Beyond the sexual misconduct, Novas smuggled cannabis and two mobile phones into the prison for Winkless. In a grave breach of security, she also leaked the name of an inmate informant to Winkless, putting that individual at significant risk of violence and undermining prison investigations. Judge Crane noted that Novas' actions compromised the safety of staff and prisoners and eroded public trust in the prison system.
Describing Novas as "naive and immature", the judge acknowledged her vulnerability to manipulation but emphasised that she had opportunities to report the matter to authorities. Despite this, Novas persisted in the relationship even after her arrest, showing a lack of regard for the seriousness of her conduct.
Sentencing and Legal Outcomes
Novas pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office between August and December 2024, while Winkless admitted to encouraging and assisting her in the offence. Both also confessed to making unauthorised transmissions from within HMP Peterborough and conveying contraband into HMP Five Wells. Winkless received an additional sentence of three years and four months, consecutive to his existing 11-year term.
Defence lawyer Liam Muir argued that Novas was 18 at the time and had an undiagnosed emotionally unstable personality disorder. The judge accepted that Winkless expressed remorse, but stressed the severity of the crimes.
Official Response and Broader Implications
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Richard Cornell of the East Midlands Regional Prisons Intelligence Unit stated: "These sentences reflect the gravity of the multitude of offences committed." He noted that Novas had recently completed training emphasising the integrity expected of prison officers, yet wilfully breached public trust.
Cornell added: "I hope the sentences handed down today send a clear message that corrupt and illegal conduct will be robustly dealt with." He praised the majority of prison staff for their high standards and integrity, distancing them from Novas' actions.
The case underscores ongoing challenges in prison security and the consequences of misconduct by those in positions of authority, highlighting the need for vigilance and accountability within the correctional system.
