Two female prison officers have been sentenced to prison after engaging in corrupt relationships with two drug-dealing brothers, sending them Valentine's cards and jewelry while they were incarcerated at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale. Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, admitted to misconduct in public office after forming inappropriate relationships with Dil Nawaz, 30, and Haq Nawaz, 32, respectively.
Court Hearing Details
At Manchester Crown Court on August 7, Judge described how the women had 'undermined that trust in the most devastating way you could have'. The court heard that Gascoyne ordered matching necklaces and bracelets for herself and Dil Nawaz, and both women received money from associates of the brothers. The relationships did not become sexual, and no contraband was smuggled on behalf of the Nawaz brothers.
Gascoyne admitted to an inappropriate relationship with Dil Nawaz between January 20 and April 4, 2024, while Walton admitted to a relationship with Haq Nawaz between January 21 and March 16, 2024. Philip Hall, prosecuting, noted that Buckley Hall is a category C prison with over 450 prisoners and about 200 staff. Gascoyne had worked there since August 2021, and Walton since January 2023.
Background of the Brothers
Haq Nawaz and Dil Nawaz received lengthy jail terms in 2023 for their leading roles in a Lancashire drugs gang responsible for distributing between £2.15 million and £3.1 million worth of crack cocaine and heroin over a 12-month period. The gang 'controlled an army of drug dealers and runners', according to Lancashire Police. Both brothers arrived at Buckley Hall in April 2023.
The investigation into the relationships began after the anti-corruption unit received intelligence. On March 28, 2024, Gascoyne was searched as she entered the prison. No contraband was found, but she was wearing two necklaces—one engraved with the letter 'D' and another with Arabic script. Mr Hall said, 'Jai Gascoyne could not explain what the Arabic script meant, and she tried to explain 'D' was a reference to her dad.' The Arabic script was later identified as an Islamic prayer for protection from the Quran.
Evidence Discovered
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) provided further details. In a search of Gascoyne's car, officers found a card in a sealed envelope addressed to Dil Nawaz with his prison number, a ring in a box, and a mobile phone. Subsequent searches of the brothers' cells uncovered a Valentine's card, a necklace with 'J' on a love pendant, and a bracelet with 'J' on a love heart pendant in Dil Nawaz's cell. In Haq Nawaz's cell, officers found Moonpig cards, papers with phone numbers, and a silver necklace with 'E' on a pendant. The pendants with 'J' and 'E' referred to Jai Gascoyne and Elle Walton, respectively.
Digital Evidence
Gascoyne's mobile phone was digitally extracted, revealing both her own corruption and Walton's. Between February 12 and March 23, 2024, messages between Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz discussed being in love and plans to marry, with one message saying 'the prison can't do anything and it's not like she's bringing drugs in'. Messages between Gascoyne and Walton referred to themselves as 'Mrs N'. On February 14, 2024, Walton informed Gascoyne that Haq had asked her to be his girlfriend.
Sentencing and Reactions
Detective Inspector Brian Morley of NWROCU said: 'Both Gascoyne and Walton knew their actions were corrupt and went to significant lengths to conceal their offending while continuing in their roles as prison officers. By working together to hide their crimes, they undermined the integrity and trust placed in prison staff. Corruption has no place in our prisons. Those who abuse their position will be identified, investigated and brought to justice.'
Gascoyne, of Chapel Street, Dukinfield, pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office and was sentenced to 16 months in prison. Walton, of Gordon Street, Bacup, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to one count and received 13 months. Both will serve up to 40 per cent of their sentences behind bars. The Nawaz brothers each had a year added to their existing sentences: Dil Nawaz was previously sentenced to 13 years and 10 months, and Haq Nawaz to 12 years for their roles in the drug conspiracy.
