Kiera Burton, a prison nurse who smuggled drugs and contraband into two prisons as part of a sophisticated criminal gang, has been struck off and banned from practising her profession.
Burton, 35, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for conspiracy to convey list A and B items into HMP Preston and being concerned in the supply of cannabis and spice between October 2023 and April 2024. Her crimes also involved smuggling ketamine, mobile phones and SIM cards into HMP Preston and HMP Lancaster Farms.
Interim striking-off order issued
The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has issued an interim striking-off order, which will become permanent unless a successful appeal is lodged within 28 days. At the sentencing hearing in March, Judge Michael Maher described Burton as being 'plainly besotted' with one of her co-defendants and 'counting down the days' until his release.
Judge Maher said the nurse was viewed as a 'cash cow for this family enterprise' and that while Burton had expressed some initial reservations, these seemed to have 'quickly evaporated', according to Lancs Live. He added that Burton appeared to 'relish the thrill of smuggling these items' into her workplace.
Sophisticated smuggling operation uncovered
The judge also referred to messages between Burton and some of the co-defendants that demonstrated the frequency with which phones and drugs, mainly cannabis, were conveyed into the prison and the meticulous preparation undertaken to avoid detection by authorities and their dogs. A raid on Burton's home address and car uncovered items including a pair of shoes with hollowed-out soles, as well as SIM cards, mobile phones and cash.
Burton was caught after being stopped and searched on her way into work at HMP Preston and found with drugs and SIM cards on her. Detectives said the gang also used sophisticated drones to deliver parcels of drugs which were dropped into the prison yards.
NMC ruling on professional standards
A total of 14 people were jailed for their roles in the conspiracy. Burton, of Alvis Close, Farington, was convicted of conspiracy to convey list A and B items into HMP Preston and being concerned in the supply of cannabis and spice between October 2023 and April 2024.
A report by the NMC said: "The panel concluded that Miss Burton's actions represented a significant departure from the standards expected of a registered nurse and are fundamentally incompatible with her remaining on the register." The panel added: "Having regard to the matters it identified, in particular the effect of Miss Burton's actions in bringing the profession into disrepute by adversely affecting the public's view of how a registered nurse should conduct herself, the panel has concluded that nothing short of this would be sufficient in this case."
