Prison officer had ‘inappropriate’ relationships with two jailed brothers at the same time

A female prison officer has admitted misconduct after having ‘inappropriate’ relationships with two jailed brothers at the same time.

Lucy Thornton, 28, admitted she "wilfully misconducted herself" with Aaron, 31, and Haden Whittaker, 28, at HMP Altcourse in Liverpool.

She pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in a public office at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday.

Thornton was arrested after a "counter corruption" probe into her behaviour at the Category B men's prison.

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The court heard Thornton engaged in a relationship with Aaron and encouraged him to use a mobile phone in his cell between November 2018 and August 2019.

She was also involved in a relationship with his brother Haden, also an inmate at Altcourse, from November 2018 to June 2019 and encouraged his use of a phone behind bars.

Thornton, of Warrington, Cheshire, was granted unconditional bail and will be sentenced on 25 June.

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At the time of her arrest, The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NW ROCU) released a statement, saying: “Following a joint investigation between NWROCU and HMPPS Counter Corruption Unit, a HMP Altcourse prison officer has been charged with misconduct in public office.

“Lucy Thornton, 28-years-old from Orford, Warrington was arrested on 31st July 2019 and was charged on 11th March 2021.

“She has been bailed to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on 22nd April 2021.”