Probation officer exchanged sexually explicit messages with a lover following an affair, only to be exposed by an explicit business card
Leonie Wilkinson, a former probation officer at HMP Preston, found herself in hot water after it was revealed that she had conducted an inappropriate relationship with Gary Hampson, a convicted burglar who was incarcerated at the prison.
The relationship between Wilkinson and Hampson came to light in 2018 when a mobile phone was seized from Hampson's cell, showing evidence of their clandestine contact. It was discovered that Wilkinson had been visiting Hampson in prison and maintaining secret communication with him.
According to reports, Leonie Wilkinson, who was 27 at the time, and Gary Hampson, who was 26, had dated as teenagers and rekindled their romance when Wilkinson took up a job at the prison. However, the relationship between them never became physical or sexual.
In an attempt to gain unauthorized access to computer records about Hampson and fellow inmates, Wilkinson used her position to manipulate probation computer systems. She was arrested and her personal phone revealed the means of contact between her and Hampson. Wilkinson also warned an aunt not to reveal the source of information and sent Hampson several payments of £20 or £30 using a third party.
Emails between Wilkinson and Hampson showed expressions of love and plans for a family. The pair exchanged dozens of phone calls and naughty messages, with one explicit Funky Pigeon card sent by Wilkinson to Hampson referencing oral sex.
Ms. Woods, a colleague of Wilkinson, described the relationship as a "remote" and non-sexual one. Gary Hampson himself believed the relationship with Wilkinson was genuine.
After the relationship was discovered, Wilkinson denied any romance during police interviews. However, it was later revealed that she had been "economical with the truth" about her relationship with Hampson and failed to disclose it fully.
Following the sentencing, Wilkinson has since transformed her life and is now working as a mental health support worker. The details of her sentence have not been disclosed to the public.
[1] Source: The Guardian (2019) - https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jan/31/probation-officer-leonie-wilkinson-jailed-for-smuggling-mobile-phone-to-prisoner-gary-hampson [2] Source: BBC News (2019) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-47122487
- The incident involving Leonie Wilkinson, a former probation officer, raised concerns in both general news and crime-and-justice sectors, as it involved an inappropriate relationship with Gary Hampson, a prisoner under her supervision.
- Despite the professional and ethical boundaries, Leonie Wilkinson, who once worked in health-and-wellness and lifestyle fields, found herself involved in a clandestine relationship with Hampson, which included secret visits and communication.
- The relationship between Wilkinson and Hampson extended beyond the prison walls, with emails expressing love and plans for a family, and even references to sexual health in their exchanged messages.
- The story of Leonie Wilkinson's relationship with Gary Hampson highlights the importance of maintaining relationships based on honesty and integrity, particularly in positions of authority, as her actions led to legal consequences affecting her career and personal life.
