Skip to main content

Prison officer, 28, who 'fell in love' with violent inmate and shared hundreds of illicit texts with him is jailed for 10 months - after giving birth to his son

A prison officer who 'fell in love' with a violent inmate and shared hundreds of illicit texts and calls with him has been jailed for 10 months.

Lucy Thornton, 28, developed 'mutual feelings' for offender Aaron Whittaker while working at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside between November 2018 and August 2019.  

At the same time, Thornton was also involved with his brother, Haden, for seven months from November 2018. 

She went on to have a child with Aaron when he was released on parole, Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday.

Thornton admitted two counts of misconduct in a public office for her relationships with both Aaron - who was in prison for wounding - and Haden - who was serving a sentence for wounding and burglary.

She was sentenced to ten months in prison, with a judge saying the ruling should put off other prison officers who may be 'tempted to betray the trust placed in them'.

Lucy Thornton, 28, (pictured) developed 'mutual feelings' for violent offender Aaron Whittaker while working at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside between November 2018 and August 2019

Lucy Thornton, 28, developed 'mutual feelings' for violent offender Aaron Whittaker while working at HMP Altcourse in Merseyside between November 2018 and August 2019. At the same time, Thornton was also involved with his brother, Haden, for seven months from November 2018

Thornton admitted two counts of misconduct in a public office for relationships with both Aaron (pictured) - who was in prison for wounding - and Haden - who was serving a sentence for wounding and burglaryThornton said she contacted Haden as a friend and was also in touch with their mother

Thornton admitted two counts of misconduct in a public office for relationships with both Aaron - who was in prison for wounding - and Haden - who was serving a sentence for wounding and burglary

Simon Duncan, prosecuting, told the court there was evidence of hundreds of calls and text messages between Thornton and the two convicts while they were in prison.

He said intelligence began to emerge about inappropriate relationships involving Thornton in March and April 2019. 

But when she was interviewed by the prison's security governor, Mark Jones, she denied anything was going on.

On the same day as her interview, in May 2019, Aaron's cell was searched and a piece of paper with the name Lucy and a phone number, later linked to the defendant, was discovered.

Later searches uncovered mini mobile phones in the cells of both Haden and Aaron, who was later transferred to HMP Oakwood in Wolverhampton.

In June 2019, Thornton, of Orford, Warrington, was suspended from her job after a 'play fight' between her and another inmate, in which officers witnessed her rolling around on the floor, Mr Duncan said.

Thornton (right) arriving at Liverpool Crown Court before her sentencing today

Thornton arriving at Liverpool Crown Court before her sentencing today

She was arrested the following month.

A phone recovered from Thornton's home had Aaron Whittaker's contact stored as 'My Baby', Mr Duncan said.

The court heard that - after Aaron was transferred to Oakwood - he contacted Thornton on the prison phone system, referring to her as Lisa Williams, as well as using a prison email system.

She transferred £200 into a bank account to settle a drugs debt for him after having conversations about him being under threat, the court was told.

Thornton (right, arriving in court today) was sentenced to ten months in prison, with a judge saying the ruling should put off other prison officers who may be 'tempted to betray the trust placed in them'

Thornton (right, arriving in court today) was sentenced to ten months in prison, with a judge saying the ruling should put off other prison officers who may be 'tempted to betray the trust placed in them'

When she was interviewed, Thornton said she and Aaron had developed mutual feelings in February 2019 and he gave her his number so she could call him when she was off duty.

She said she contacted Haden as a friend and was also in touch with their mother.

Mr Duncan said there was no evidence of sexual activity in the prison but when Aaron Whittaker was released in November 2019 they 'got together' and she gave birth to their son last year.

She told police they are no longer in a relationship.

Anthony O'Donohoe, defending, told the court: 'Her explanation is she fell in love with the wrong person in the wrong place and I suppose in the tides of men and women these things can happen, inappropriate and totally wrong though they are.'

He said Thornton was a woman of positive good character and her future prospects have been 'effectively ruined' following the case.

Sentencing her, Judge Neil Flewitt QC said he accepted that an immediate custodial sentence would have a significant impact on her 10-month-old son.

But he said it is important to deter other prison officers who may be 'tempted to betray the trust placed in them' and criminals who 'might seek to exploit them'.

He added: 'I regret to say I am satisfied in this case that the appropriate punishment can only be achieved by the imposition of an immediate custodial sentence.'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o