A female prison officer has been sent to prison for a year after she exchanged explicit love letters and engaged in "extremely graphic" phone sex with a convicted gangster serving an indefinite sentence.
Forbidden Relationship Behind Bars
Megann Gibson, a 26-year-old rookie guard from Leeds, became embroiled in a forbidden relationship with dangerous inmate Ryan Horan while working at Wealstun Prison near Wetherby, West Yorkshire. Leeds Crown Court heard the pair held late-night calls, some lasting up to an hour, where they discussed marriage, children, and life after Horan's release.
Prosecutor Louise Pryke stated the conversations were of a "highly sexual nature and extremely graphic," effectively amounting to phone sex. Horan, described as a hardened member of an organised crime gang, also wrote Gibson highly sexual letters, which police later found in her bedroom upon her arrest.
Rapid Descent into Suspicion
Gibson had only started working at the Category C resettlement prison in January 2023, but her conduct quickly raised alarms. Within her first five months, she triggered 102 anti-corruption intelligence reports. Concerns included attempts to bring contraband into the prison and becoming over-familiar with prisoners, spending excessive time in their cells while on duty.
Judge Kate Rayfield told Gibson: "Almost immediately, intelligence reports were being filed about your conduct at work." The judge noted that despite repeated disciplinary action which made the employer's concerns "abundantly clear," Gibson chose to embark on the relationship with Horan.
Close Ties to Inmate's Family
The court heard Gibson also became heavily involved with Horan's mother. She visited the mother's home in Sheffield and exchanged more than 900 WhatsApp messages with her over just a few weeks.
Judge Rayfield expressed deep suspicion about the Sheffield visit, stating: "Given how far you had to travel, causing me to suspect that it was arranged with a view to collecting contraband to take into the prison." However, the prosecution confirmed there was no evidence Gibson had actually smuggled any prohibited items.
Further intelligence suggested Gibson had engaged in "improper behaviour" with two other inmates—armed robbers Sery Tokro and Wayne Coleman—and was suspected of contact with Michael Holt, whose gang was believed to be funnelling cannabis vapes into the prison.
Remorse and Immediate Custody
Defending, Katherine Robinson said Gibson had shown "genuine remorse" and could now "see fully the impact of her behaviour."
Gibson admitted misconduct in a public office. Passing the 12-month sentence, Judge Rayfield emphasised the breach of trust: "Appropriate punishment can only be achieved by immediate custody. Ultimately, you held a position of trust and the public and other prison officers must know that if boundaries and rules are ignored by those carrying out this important role, then immediate prison will have to follow."
