Probation worker, 28, tried to smuggle ketamine & cocaine in Lucozade bottle after starting ‘relationship’ with convict
A PROBATION worker who tried to smuggle ketamine and cocaine into a prison inside a Lucozade bottle has been jailed.
Alice Graham, now 33, attempted to bring numerous Class A drugs into HMP Wealstun in West Yorkshire, after forming a “relationship” with a convict.
Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp told Leeds Crown Court that Graham was given a “caseload” of prisoners to manage when she qualified for her role in March 2020.
But Graham – who was 28 at the time – became fond of one particular convict.
It led to her searching the internet for hotels in Scunthorpe, Lincs, ahead of his expected release to a bail hostel.
However, Graham maintained the searches were on behalf of the prisoner’s girlfriend.
Mr Sharp explained that after the prisoner asked her to take items into prison for him, she did – despite already swirling rumours about their relationship.
In May 2021, she agreed to smuggle a stash of contraband including class-A drugs, syringes, three mobile phones and eight sim cards worth up to £6,695 into the prison.
But Graham was stopped during a random search as she tried to enter the jail.
She panicked and showed guards the items she had hidden under her coat.
Among her stash were other items including a 32gb memory stick, steroids, testosterone, tobacco, cigarette papers, spice, ketamine, cocaine, cannabis and MDMA pills.
She was given three years in prison at her sentencing on February 23, with Judge Kate Rayfield telling her she had “abused” her position of responsibility.
The judge said: “He [the prisoner] was far more experienced in the criminal justice system than you. The relationship crossed acceptable professional boundaries.
“You abused the trusted position as a probation officer.”
The court was told police knew of the prisoner and he was described as being a member of an organised crime gang and as a “sophisticated criminal”.
Graham described in the court how she had “become close” with the prisoner, saying was “very, very engaging” and had “opened up”, but conceded it was a “ruse”.
And she claimed she felt sorry for the inmate, and he was “keen” to stay in touch after his release.
She admitted searching for accommodation for him but maintained it was on behalf of his girlfriend, which was accepted by the Crown.
Graham also had a conversation with a colleague about relationships with prisoners and rumours began circulating, the court heard.
She latterly agreed to bring in the bottle full of contraband, which was estimated to be worth between £6,415 and £6,695.
‘OUT OF HER DEPTH’
The probation worker was supplied with an address to collect the items and drugs where they were handed over to her.
But it all began to unravel when Graham was searched at the entrance of HMP Wealstun, leading to her arrest.
The Crown said there was no hint of pressure or manipulation during recorded conversations between the pair.
She was also trained to spot tell-tale signs and raise the alarm if she felt under pressure from manipulative prisoners, which she failed to do.
And she admitted charges of conveying prohibited articles into a prison.
Mitigating on her behalf, Matthew Harding said: “She was manipulated to some degree by the prisoner.
“It became more and more serious and she became more and more out of her depth.
“She maintains it was not a commercial enterprise for her part. If there was a chain, there was no influence on it.”
He said that despite losing her job with the Probation Service, she was back in employment within days.