A trainee prison officer who had “extremely graphic” phone sex with an inmate lasting up to an hour has been jailed. Megann Gibson was working at HMP Wealstun in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, when she entered into a relationship with gang member Ryan Horan.
Gibson, 26, let Horan into areas of the category C prison which were restricted and sent his mother over 900 messages in an effort to maintain contact with him. Her behaviour prompted 102 anti-corruption intelligence reports within five months of working at Wealstun, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Louise Pryke, prosecuting, told the court the conversations between Gibson and Horan were “of a highly sexual nature and extremely graphic”.
Ms Pryke said some lasted up to an hour, adding that during the calls the pair expressed love for each other, talked about marrying and having children after Horan’s release.
He was serving an indefinite sentence for public protection at the time, The Sun reports.
The prosecutor said Horan had written “highly sexual” letters to Gibson and these were found in her bedroom when she was arrested.
In one letter, Horan praised Gibson’s kissing and thanked her for a vape.
After she was arrested, police found £1,000 in cash which Gibson said she withdrew from her bank to use towards paying for a tattoo. It was revealed in court that the money hadn’t been withdrawn from her bank.
Judge Kate Rayfield, sentencing, said there were concerns Gibson was taking contraband into the prison and becoming “over familiar” with some inmates.
The judge said she wasn’t sentencing Gibson over the events which triggered the corruption reports, but said they were relevant because they led prison bosses to get involved.
She told Gibson: “Despite this repeated disciplinary action, in which it was made abundantly clear what your employer’s concerns were, you embarked upon a relationship with prisoner Ryan Horan.”
Gibson was sentenced to 12 months on Friday (December 5) after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office and possession of cannabis.