Prison officer had sexual relationship with inmate and smuggled cannabis into jail

Prison officer had sexual relationship with inmate and smuggled cannabis into jail Sam Courtney-Guy Sam Courtney-Guy Published December 1, 2025 1:30pm Updated December 1, 2025 1:35pm Share this article via whatsappShare this article via xCopy the link to this article.Link is copiedShare this article via facebook Comment now Comments A view of HMP FIve Wells near Wellingborough, where prison officer Alicia Novas worked and met inmate Declan Winkless (Picture: PA)

A prison officer who had an affair with an inmate while smuggling in contraband for him has pleaded guilty to misconduct.

Alicia Novas, 19, and 30-year-old Declan Winkless appeared in court today to admit several offences committed between August last year and March this year.

Prosecutors did not detail the facts during the short hearing but the court heard the pair had a sexual relationship.

Novas also admitted to smuggling cannabis and two mobile phones into HMP Five Wells, a Category C prison in Northamptonshire.

Winkless, 30, was convicted of seven charges in relation to the offending

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She also admitted charges arising from giving her phone number to Winkless and failing to report his possession of a phone and drugs.

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Winkless, who has since been transferred to HMP Swaleside in Kent, also pleaded guilty to charges relating to the same offences and admitted to an additional charge of possessing a mobile phone with a SIM card without permission.

Novas was previously on conditional bail but was remanded into custody after the hearing.

The pair are due to be sentenced on January 5.

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