Prison officers who both had illicit affairs with brothers serving time for running multi-million pound drugs operation are jailed themselves

By JAMES TOZER, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT and IAN LEONARD Published: 20:27, 7 August 2026 | Updated: 20:34, 7 August 2026 Two prison officers who both had illicit affairs with a pair of brothers convicted of running a multi-million pound drugs operation were today put behind bars themselves. Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, who were friends outside work and socialised together, were working at Buckley Hall Prison near Rochdale when they struck up relationships with criminals they were meant to be guarding. Gascoyne became romantically involved with inmate Dil Nawaz, 30, in January 2024, although she also had inappropriate contact with two other prisoners, Manchester Crown Court heard. At around the same time, Walton began a similar relationship with Nawaz's brother Haq, 32. The two couples each exchanged hundreds of messages with each other, swapped gifts and money and wore jewellery bearing each other's initials. In messages between Gascoyne and Dil Nawaz, they declared their 'love' for each other. He also discussed 'wanting to have sex with her and how she could take him to the chapel or open his door and go in his room', a court heard today. Jailing Gascoyne and Walton to 16 and 13 months in prison respectively, the judge, Recorder Ben Lawrence said the seriousness of their offending 'strikes at the heart of the public faith in the prison system' and that faith and trust needed to be maintained. Ex-prison officer Jai Gascoyne, 25, was today jailed for 16 months after admitting misconduct in public office over having a relationship with inmate Dil Nawaz, 30 Fellow prison officer Elle Walton, 27, was given a 13 month sentence after she pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office over a relationship with Haq Nawaz As such, 'deterrent' sentences were required so 'the next young female prison officer who considers starting a relationship with a prisoner may think twice if they learn you go to prison no matter what your positive features,' he added. He said Gascoyne's case was 'more serious' as she seemed to have had relationships with three prisoners. Philip Hall, prosecuting, told the court that an investigation began after prison anti-corruption officials received intelligence. Gascoyne was stopped during a 'behaviour detection operation' on staff and searched. Although she wasn't carrying any contraband, she was found to be wearing two necklaces – one engraved with the letter 'D' and another bearing Arabic script. Gascoyne claimed the 'D' referred to her dad and admitted she could not explain what the script meant. However it was thought to refer to Dil Nawaz's Muslim faith and was an 'Islamic prayer for protection' and 'one of the most powerful verses from the Koran', the court was told. The investigation later revealed that Gascoyne had placed an Amazon order for two bracelets and two necklaces with pendants. Elle Walton (pictured) was told that her offending 'strikes at the heart of the public faith in the prison system' by a judge as he jailed her (L-R) Dil Nawaz, 30, and Haq Nawaz, 32, are serving sentences of 12 years and 13 years and 10 months respectively for heading an organised crime gang During a search of Dil Nawaz's cell he was found to be wearing a silver bracelet and necklace – both with a love-heart pendant with the initial 'J' – while Gascoyne had an identical necklace. There was also a Valentine's card signed off with 'I love you always'. A love letter was recovered from Gascoyne's car signed off with the same message along with a ring in a box. When Haq Nawaz's cell was searched, he was found to be wearing a chain inscribed with the letter 'E'.  A Valentine's card was also seized. The court heard how Gascoyne had created images of Dil Nawaz on her phone, superimposing her own face alongside his. Although she and Walton used pseudonyms for the brothers, they would sometimes 'slip up,' the prosecutor said. It was 'clear each knew of the other's inappropriate relationship and they supported each other in the offending,' he added. Gascoyne also carried out internet searches on the brothers and was 'fully aware of their crimes'. Both women also received cash payments via one of their sisters. They refused to answer any questions when they were asked about the relationships. But Gascoyne, of Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, later pleaded guilty to two counts of misconduct in public office. Walton, of Bacup, Lancashire, admitted one count of misconduct in public office at an earlier hearing. The brothers each pleaded guilty encouraging and assisting in the commission of an either way offence, namely misconduct in public office, and possessing a mobile phone in prison. All the offences took place between January and April 2024. Michael O'Brien, defending Walton, said her relationship had not become sexual and it wasn't intended to compromise the security or integrity of the prison. He said she 'fully regrets' and was 'deeply remorseful' for her actions and was of previously good character. He pointed out how she provided care for a relative in a wheelchair and now intended to pursue a career as a hairdresser because she could no longer care for children. Nick Cockrell, defending Gascoyne, said her remorse was 'genuine'. He pointed to her youth at the time of the offences and the length of time it had taken to bring the case to court. The court heard how the Nawaz brothers had not planned on entering into the relationships. Dil Nawaz was said to have wanted 'companionship' after his mental health deteriorated because he was attacked in prison. Haq Nawaz had become isolated from his family and had 'wanted someone to talk to' before his relationship with Walton became 'more serious'. Neither had got the women to carry items into prison for them, it was claimed. Both were handed additional 12 month sentences for their role. Haq Nawaz was jailed for 13 years and ten months and Dil Nawaz for 12 years in September 2023 for heading an OCG gang with their other brother Asim Nawaz. It is believed the gang distributed between £2.15million and £3.1million worth of crack cocaine and heroin over a 12-month period. They controlled an 'army' of drug dealers and runners in Chorley and Preston, which included exploited juveniles, who operated at street level. Mobile telephone numbers were utilised as drug lines to advertise drugs for sale and to take orders for Class A drugs. The operation involved several drugs lines and led to 30 people being arrested and charged and handed prison sentences totalling 132 years.