Declan Winkless, 31, had his prison sentence increased from three years and four months to five years by the Court of Appeal after filming himself having sex with a prison officer and leaking the footage on Snapchat. The original sentence was ruled too lenient following a challenge by the Solicitor General.
Details of the Offences
Winkless, formerly of Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, admitted prison smuggling and misconduct in a public office at Northampton Crown Court in January. He is already serving an 11-year sentence for aggravated burglary. The offences occurred between August 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025.
Former prison officer Alicia Novas, 20, received an unchanged three-year sentence for smuggling cannabis, tobacco, and two mobile phones into HMP Five Wells and HMP Peterborough, and for passing confidential prison intelligence, including the identity of a prison informant.
Investigation Findings
Detective Inspector Richard Cornell of the East Midlands Regional Prisons Intelligence Unit stated: “These sentences reflect the gravity of the multitude of offences committed. Novas had only just begun her career as a prison officer, having taken up her position on July 1, 2024.” He added: “Unfortunately Novas used her position to form an inappropriate relationship with Winkless and to breach public trust and confidence further by illegally passing on information and smuggling drugs and mobile phones to him.”
The investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit established that by November 6, 2024, the pair had been communicating via mobile phone. More than 2,800 messages were shared before Novas’ arrest on December 23, 2024. Despite bail conditions not to contact Winkless, approximately 400 further contacts occurred after her arrest.
Impact and Sentencing
Cornell noted: “Winkless undoubtedly encouraged this relationship and the unprofessional and illegal conduct carried out by Novas, and this is reflected in the charges he also faced and the sentence he has now received.” The Court of Appeal’s increase to five years underscores the severity of the offences, which undermined prison security and public trust.
