Two prison officers who sent jewellery and Moonpig cards to a pair of jailed brothers are now behind bars themselves. Elle Walton, 27, and Jai Gascoyne, 25, both worked at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale when they gave cards and jewellery to Dil Nawaz, 30, and Haq Nawaz, 32. The brothers were serving time after flooding the streets with up to £3m worth of class A drugs.
Judge's rebuke
Before locking them up on August 7, a judge told the women that they had trust placed in them because of their jobs, and that they had 'undermined that trust in the most devastating way you could have'. Manchester Crown Court heard Gascoyne ordered matching necklaces and bracelets for her and Dil Nawaz. The female defendants also received money from associates of the brothers. Their relationships did not become sexual and they did not smuggle contraband on the Nawaz's behalf.
Admissions and background
Gascoyne admitted being in an inappropriate relationship with Dil Nawaz between January 20, 2024, and April 4, 2024. Walton admitted being in an inappropriate relationship with Haq Nawaz between January 21, 2024, and March 16, 2024. Prosecuting at the hearing, Philip Hall said that Buckley Hall is a category C jail with more than 450 prisoners and about 200 staff. Gascoyne had worked there since August 2021, and Walton from January 2023.
Mr Hall said the pair were friends and socialised outside of work. After starting their jobs, they both undertook security training which included modules on 'corruption prevention' and on the 'consequences of becoming personally involved with prisoners'. They later completed further training organised by the counter corruption unit. "Elle Walton mentioned the consequences of wrongdoing could involve a prison sentence," Mr Hall said.
Investigation and evidence
Haq Nawaz and Dil Nawaz both received lengthy jail terms in 2023 for leading roles in a Lancashire drugs gang. Lancashire Police said the gang was responsible for the distribution of between £2.15m and £3.1m worth of crack cocaine and heroin over a 12-month period. The gang 'controlled an army of drug dealers and runners', the force said. The brothers arrived at Buckley Hall in April 2023. Mr Hall said an investigation was launched into relationships formed between the drug dealers and the two female prison officers after the anti-corruption unit received 'intelligence'.
Gascoyne was searched as she entered the prison on March 28, 2024. No contraband was found, but she was wearing two necklaces, one engraved with the letter D, and one with Arabic script. Mr Hall said: "Jai Gascoyne could not explain what the Arabic script meant, and she tried to explain 'D' was a reference to her dad." The court was told the Arabic was an 'Islamic prayer for protection' from the Quran. The probe discovered Gascoyne had bought two necklaces and two bracelets on Amazon. A similar necklace and a bracelet was discovered in Dil Nawaz’s cell later that day.
Further findings
Following the sentencing, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit issued more information. Referencing a search of Gascoyne's car, a statement said: "Officers found and seized the following items: A card in a sealed envelope addressed to Dil Nawaz, with his prison number and prison address. A ring in a box. A mobile phone." During the time of these events, Dil Nawaz was a prisoner within HMP Buckley Hall along with his brother Haq Nawaz. Immediately after discovering the items in Gascoyne's vehicle, officers searched the cells of the brothers.
"Within Dil Nawaz cell, officers seized the following: A valentines card. A necklace with 'J' on a love pendant. Bracelet with 'J' on love heart pendant. Within Haq Nawaz cell, officers seized the following - Moonpig cards. Papers with phone numbers on. Silver necklace with 'E' on pendant."
Officers can evidence that the pendant engraved with the letter 'J' refers to Jai Gascoyne, while the pendant engraved with the letter 'E' refers to Elle Walton. The necklace recovered from Dil Nawaz was identical to a necklace worn by Gascoyne, engraved with the letter 'D', believed to be a reference to Dil Nawaz. Gascoyne was also found wearing a necklace bearing Arabic script, translated as Ayat al-Kursi, a verse from the Quran. As Dil Nawaz is a Muslim, this provided further evidence supporting the relationship.
Messages and sentencing
NWROCU said Walton's actions were discovered after her friend's phone was interrogated. The statement continued: "Gascoyne's mobile phone was digitally extracted unveiling not only her own corruption, but also Walton's." Between 12 February 2024 and 23 March 2024, messages between Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz talk about how in love they are as well as plans to marry as 'the prison can't do anything and it's not like she's bringing drugs in'. There are also messages between Gascoyne and Walton referring to themselves as 'Mrs N'. On 14 February 2024, Walton informs Gascoyne that Haq has asked her to be his girlfriend.
After the hearing, Detective Inspector Brian Morley, from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, said: "Both Gascoyne and Walton knew their actions were corrupt and went to significant lengths to conceal their offending while continuing in their roles as prison officers. By working together to hide their crimes, they undermined the integrity and trust placed in prison staff. We welcome the sentencing of both them as well as the extended sentences imposed on the brothers involved. We would like to thank colleagues from HMPPS at HMP Buckley Hall for their support throughout this investigation. Corruption has no place in our prisons. Those who abuse their position will be identified, investigated and brought to justice. Maintaining the safety and security of our prisons remains a top priority."
Gascoyne, of Chapel Street, Dukinfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office. Walton, of Gordon Street, Bacup, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office. Haq Nawaz, previously of Leyland, Lancashire, and Dil Nawaz, previously of Preston, Lancashire, both pleaded guilty to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, namely misconduct in public office, and possessing a prohibited item in prison.
Gascoyne was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Walton was sentenced to 13 months in prison. Both will serve up to 40 per cent of the sentence behind bars. The Nawaz brothers both had a year added to their sentences. Dil Nawaz was previously sentenced to 13 years and ten months in prison, while Haq Nawaz was sentenced to 12 years for their parts in a class A drug conspiracy.
