Prison Officer Receives Three-Year Sentence Following Snapchat Sex Video Exposure
A young prison officer has been sentenced to three years imprisonment after her clandestine relationship with an inmate was dramatically exposed through sexually explicit videos shared on the social media platform Snapchat. Alicia Novas, described by the court as "naive and immature," engaged in a prohibited sexual relationship with prisoner Declan Winkless while working at HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough.
Illicit Relationship and Smuggling Operation Uncovered
The court heard how the 20-year-old officer not only engaged in a sexual relationship with Winkless but also smuggled cannabis and two mobile phones into the prison facility for him. Their illicit activities came to light when two videos showing Novas "having sex in her prison uniform" with the inmate were circulated on Snapchat, eventually finding their way to press organisations.
Northampton Crown Court was told that Novas provided her personal telephone number to Winkless, who was serving an eleven-year-and-three-month sentence for conspiracy to burgle. The pair maintained almost 3,000 contacts using four illicit devices, with Winkless expressing romantic interest and offering expensive gifts to the young officer.
Serious Security Breaches and Informant Risk
The relationship turned sexual by November 16, 2024, and Novas subsequently admitted to misconduct in a public office between August and December 2024. Her offences included providing sensitive information about a prison informant and revealing what authorities suspected about Winkless's activities. On November 23, when Winkless asked "who the snitch was," Novas identified another prisoner and disclosed investigative details.
Judge Rebecca Crane emphasised the gravity of these actions, stating: "This put the informant at very considerable risk to his personal safety. It also undermined any prison investigation." She noted that even inexperienced officers should recognise that suspected informants often face serious violence within prison environments.
Psychological Factors and Sentencing Details
Defence counsel Liam Muir revealed that Novas was just 18 at the time of her offending and suffers from emotionally unstable personality disorder, which was undiagnosed during the period of her crimes. Both Novas and Winkless appeared via video link from HMP Peterborough for sentencing on Monday, January 26.
The defendants admitted multiple charges including unauthorised transmission of images from within prison and conveying prohibited articles into the facility. Winkless received an additional three years and four months imprisonment, to be served consecutively with his existing sentence.
Judge Crane concluded: "You failed to consider the seriousness of your actions and the potential impact on the security and safety of staff and prisoners and how it undermined the work of the prison." The case highlights significant vulnerabilities in prison security protocols and the dangers of inappropriate relationships between staff and inmates.
