Two sentenced for misconduct in a public office and smuggling drugs into prison

Yesterday (Monday 10 March), at Manchester Crown Court, Abigail Laidlaw, 28, from Bury, and Troy Beckford, 33, were sentenced following their guilty pleas to charges of misconduct in a public office and smuggling drugs into prison. This sentencing concludes an extensive NWROCU investigation into corruption at HMP Manchester.

Abigail Laidlaw was jailed for five years and three months for misconduct in a public office, two counts of conspiracy to convey list A articles into prison and money laundering.

The investigation began in July 2021 when police received intelligence indicating that Laidlaw, a Prison Officer at HMP Manchester, was involved in a relationship with Beckford, a prisoner under her care. The intelligence indicated that Laidlaw was smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison for Beckford.

In November 2021, Laidlaw was confronted by her manager after being spotted wearing Beckford's watch. She was cautioned about the potential risks of prisoners manipulating staff and exploiting them. Laidlaw assured her superiors that she was aware of the dangers and the necessary reporting protocols, and that there was no cause for concern.

Subsequent searches of Beckford's cell in December 2021 and January 2022 uncovered four mobile phones. Call data analysis revealed daily communication between Laidlaw, Beckford, and another prisoner. The contact between Laidlaw and Beckford spanned nearly a year, with up to 40 interactions per day. When Beckford had to change his number due to cell searches, he promptly provided Laidlaw with the new number to maintain their communication.

On May 17 2022, Laidlaw was arrested. During the search of her home address, police seized £2000 cash and two iPhones. Further investigations uncovered a WhatsApp chat group where Laidlaw discussed smuggling items such as aftershave, cannabis, and iPhones into the prison in exchange for cash. 

Laidlaw's search history showed searches relating to drug quantities, money laundering, and Beckford's name. Police uncovered messages between Laidlaw and Beckford discussing the smuggling of drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, into HMP Manchester for him in exchange for payment. They also frequently spoke about their relationship and future plans.

The messages clearly indicated that Laidlaw was involved in an intimate relationship with Beckford, including daily kissing whilst she was at work. Additionally, the messages revealed that Laidlaw regularly secreted the drugs including cocaine, on her person and smuggled them into the prison to evade prison security and deliver them to Beckford.

In August 2021, Beckford sent Laidlaw an image of cannabis blocks asking her to "sort this thing out," to which she agreed. In September 2021 Laidlaw told Beckford ‘you’ve got what you want really, drugs brought in for you every day’ and added, “I’ll bring stuff in for you and leave it at that we don’t need to be in a relationship”

Laidlaw conveyed drugs into the prison for a considerable period of time, in return for gifts and cash payments. 

Additional conversations revealed suspicions from Beckford about Laidlaw seeing other men and further exchanges with another inmate discussing their relationship and drug runs. 

Detective Inspector Brian Morley from the NWROCU said: 

"Laidlaw received training on prison corruption and was fully aware that her actions were wrong. Her behaviour not only endangered herself but also her colleagues and inmates. The presence of drugs in prison severely undermines the good order and discipline of the establishment, often leading to violence, self-harm, bullying, and debt.

"I want to reassure the honest, dedicated, and hardworking prison staff that we will continue to take decisive action against any member of staff who engages in corrupt activities. We strongly encourage anyone with information about corruption in our prisons to come forward and report it."