A former head of the independent monitoring board at HMP Liverpool has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for smuggling drugs and engaging in sexual communications with a convicted killer. Helen Spree, 63, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to convey prohibited items into the prison.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Spree became besotted with Dylan Westall, 35, who is serving a life sentence for manslaughter. Police searching her home in August 2021 found custom-made pillows bearing Westall's face and a gun, as well as a tattoo referencing a nickname he used for her. She also transferred £100 to Westall and smuggled cannabis, mobile phones, SIM cards, and chargers into the prison.
Spree sent explicit messages to two other prisoners and disclosed details of cell searches and officer deployments. In one message, she referred to herself as “the prisoner’s version of Deliveroo”. The court noted that she had a successful career as a sales director before volunteering with the Independent Monitoring Board in 2017 and becoming its head in January 2021.
Judge Flewitt KC said Spree saw her role as a force for good but allowed herself to be used by prisoners. He accepted she was manipulated, noting her barrister’s statement that she had a history of abuse and low self-esteem. Westall received an additional 12-month sentence for his role in the smuggling plot.
