Former Prison Officer Sentenced for Misconduct with Inmate
Ellis Eyles, a 24-year-old former prison officer, has been jailed for eight months after admitting to misconduct in a public office. The case, heard at Durham Crown Court, revealed that Eyles struck up a romantic relationship with convicted killer Mitchell Ingham, 25, while he was serving time at HMP Deerbolt near Barnard Castle, County Durham.
Discovery of Illegal Communications
The illicit relationship came to light during a routine cell search at the prison, where officers uncovered an iPhone. Subsequent investigations showed that Eyles and Ingham had been in contact through messages and video calls in June and July 2023. In one exchange, Ingham inquired about the whereabouts of another prisoner, stating he 'will get him done in'. Eyles responded by revealing the inmate was in a segregation unit, compromising prison security.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
Prosecutor Antonia Adie presented evidence that the pair exchanged personal details such as phone numbers and addresses. Messages included affectionate terms like 'Miss you xxx' from Eyles and 'Phone me babe x' from Ingham, with one Facetime call lasting 37 minutes. Defense lawyer Robert Mochrie argued that Eyles, who was 21 at the time of the offenses, was 'immature' and had only completed six weeks of training, including just half a day on anti-corruption measures. He described her as a person of good character who was manipulated by Ingham, leading to 'eternal regret'.
Background and Sentencing
Eyles, from Darlington, had shown an 'incredible work ethic' and later worked for a bank, where she helped prevent a customer from falling victim to a romance scam. However, Judge Richard Bennett emphasized that her actions undermined public confidence in the Prison Service and impeded her colleagues' work. 'It’s clear you were in some kind of romantic relationship with this prisoner,' the judge stated, noting that she provided information knowing Ingham intended harm.
Inmate's Criminal History
Mitchell Ingham was previously sentenced to nine months for possessing and using a phone in jail. He is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 14 years for the fatal stabbing of Dominic Doyle in a Greater Manchester pub in 2015. This case highlights serious breaches of prison protocols and the consequences of inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates.
