Northamptonshire prison governor, 47, faces jail after admitting sending WhatsApp messages to an inmate
- Victoria Laithwaite was governor of category C HMP Onley in Northamptonshire
- Messages between her and inmate were found on mobile discovered in a cell
- She admitted an offense under Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007
A Northamptonshire prison governor faces jail after she admitted sending WhatsApp messages to an inmate.
Victoria Laithwaite, former governor of category C jail HMP Onlyy, was working as head of safer custody and equalities when the messages were discovered on a mobile phone found inside the prisoner’s cell.
The 47-year-old appeared alongside co-defendant James Chalmers at Northampton Crown Court today after admitting an offense under Section 44 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 last month.
At the short hearing, Judge Adrienne Lucking QC said although the messages only gave a ‘snapshot’, they suggested a ‘wider relationship’ between the pair.
Laithwaite, whose role at the time included responsibility for ensuring the support of the most vulnerable inmates, was arrested after the phone was found in May last year.
She was released on conditional bail and will be sentenced at the same court on March 21.
Victoria Laithwaite, 47, was working as head of safer custody and equalities at category C jail HMP Only when messages between her and an inmate were discovered
Laithwaite (pictured outside Northampton Crown Court) faces a custodial sentence after admitting the messages
She is the former governor of MP Onley in Northamptonshire (pictured), a category C prison
Chalmers, 29, from Coventry, is also due in court on the same date charged with possessing a mobile phone inside a prison.
He appeared at Monday’s hearing via video link from Worcestershire’s HMP Hewell.