Inmate and former prison officer sentenced for prison smuggling and misconduct in public office offences

Alicia Novas, of Holdenby Drive, Raunds, and Declan Winkless, formerly of Kirkdale Road, South Wigston, were sentenced at Northampton Crown Court today, Monday, January 26.

At a hearing at the same court on December 1, 2025, Novas and Winkless both pleaded guilty to six offences, with Winkless also pleading guilty to a seventh offence.

Novas was sentenced to a total of three years for the following offences:

• Two counts of misconduct in a public office
• Two charges of without authority transmitting / causing the transmission of an image/sound from a prison, contrary to the Prison Act 1952
• Two counts of bringing / throwing / conveying a List ' A ' prohibited article into / out of a prison, contrary to the Prison Act 1952

Winkless, who is already currently serving an 11-year sentence for aggravated burglary, was sentenced to a total of three years and four months for the following offences, to be served consecutively:

• Two counts of misconduct in a public office
• Two charges of without authority transmitting / causing the transmission of an image / sound from a prison, contrary to the Prison Act 1952
• Two counts of bringing/ throwing / conveying a List ' A ' prohibited article into / out of a prison, contrary to the Prison Act 1952.
• One charge of, without authority, possessing inside a prison an item specified in section 40D(3B) of the Prison Act 1952

The court was told the offences took place at HMP Five Wells in Wellingborough and HMP Peterborough between August 1, 2024, and March 21, 2025.

Novas and Winkless’s crimes came to light in December 2024, following a search of Winkless’s cell on December 22, during which a mobile phone was found. Examination of the phone revealed conversations between Winkless and Novas.

Novas, who had first started working as a prison officer at HMP Five Wells on July 1, 2024, when she was 18 years of age, was arrested on December 23, 2024, the court heard. She was subsequently released on police bail while further investigations took place, with conditions not to contact Winkless.

The investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) subsequently established that by November 6, 2024, Winkless and Novas had been communicating via mobile phone, with evidence indicating contact had begun prior to this date.  The telephone contact between the pair had been extensive, with more than 2,800 messages shared prior to Novas’ arrest. Interaction also continued after her arrest despite her bail conditions, with approximately 400 further contacts.

The investigation also revealed that Novas smuggled cannabis, tobacco and two mobile phones into the prison for Winkless. 

Following sentencing, Detective Inspector Richard Cornell, from the East Midlands Regional Prisons Intelligence Unit, said:

“These sentences reflect the gravity of the multitude of offences committed. Novas had only just begun her career as a prison officer, having taken up her position in July 2024. This followed completion of training which would have strongly emphasised the honesty, integrity and professionalism expected of someone in such a position of authority.

“Unfortunately Novas used her position to form an inappropriate relationship with Winkless and to breach public trust and confidence further by illegally passing on information and smuggling drugs and mobile phones to him.

“Winkless undoubtedly encouraged this relationship and the unprofessional and illegal conduct carried out by Novas, and this is reflected in the charges he also faced and the sentence he has now received, added to the lengthy prison term he is already serving for aggravated burglary. 

“However, that does not in any way excuse the wilful misconduct of Novas, who was well aware of the standards expected of her as prison officer in a position of responsibility and trust.

“I would like to thank our counter-corruption colleagues from His Majesty’s Prisons and Probation Service (HMPPS) and G4S, who we work with closely to root out corruption and offending in prisons.

“I would also like to emphasise that Novas’s conduct does not reflect the actions of the vast majority of prison staff who carry out their duties to the highest standards and with the greatest integrity.

“I hope the sentences handed down today send a clear message to those in positions of authority, that corrupt and illegal conduct and inappropriate behaviour that undermines public trust, will be robustly dealt with using the full force of the law.”

Pictured: Novas and Winkless