A prison officer who sent a prisoner explicit sexual videos of herself is jailed

A corrupt prison officer who fell in love with an inmate in a men’s prison and sent him sexually explicit videos of herself on a phone she smuggled in cried after being jailed for eight months.

Jennifer Gavan, 27, of Seventh Avenue, Llay, Wrexham, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between April and July 2020 at HMP Berwyn, a modern prison for more than 2,000 men in the Welsh city.

Gavin broke down in court and was accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with prisoner Alex Coxon, now 25.

She had accepted £150 to bring a mobile phone to jail and communicated with him on a phone illegally held in Berwyn.

Jennifer Gavan, 27 (pictured), pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at HMP Berwyn, Wrexham, Wales between April and July 2020

Judge Niclas Parry said there were references for her. But he said: “I express my surprise at HMP Berwyn staff supporting them and criticizing other Berwyn staff. This is a matter which I believe should be brought to the attention of the prison authorities.’

Coxon, of Rhys Avenue, Kinmel Bay, who had been convicted of drugs, robbery and attempted robbery, was jailed for ten months after admitting to having a prohibited item in Berwyn.

Mold Crown Court Prosecutor David Mainstone said prison authorities had received information about a possible relationship. A phone was found hidden under a prison laptop in Coxon’s cell and “explicit” images of a woman were discovered.

Gavan accepted contact with him via Snapchat, sending a snap of himself kissing the inmate.

Mr Mainstone said she refused to reveal the PIN for her mobile phone. But Gavan had made “sexually explicit” videos of himself. Call data showed contact between the tattooed couple.

Alex Coxon (pictured), who had been convicted of drugs, robbery and attempted robbery, was jailed for 10 months after admitting to having a prohibited item in Berwyn

Defense attorney Maria Masselis said Gavan came to court dressed in black with a packed bag. “She knows the position she faces. She can no longer await her fate,’ said the lawyer.

“She still struggles to explain why and how she came to do the things she did. It was obviously a particularly low point in her life. She had just gotten out of a very long relationship.’

Miss Masselis said Gavan has “self-esteem issues” but has been particularly empathetic to inmates during the Covid lockdown, when there have been no family visits. “She felt ill-equipped to deal with a wing of 80 male prisoners, occasionally alone at times.”

The attorney said there was “immaturity and an element of naivety” and that Gavan felt “manipulated” into believing she was in a relationship with Coxon. She had expressed love for him and sent pictures.

Gavan, a former salesman, grew up in an upright family. She had formed a new relationship during the indictment delay and had a seven-month-old son.

“She says her conduct regarding these matters feels as if it relates to someone else,” the attorney added.

HMP Berwyn is a modern prison for over 2,000 men in the Welsh town of Wrexham. It is pictured in 2017

Judge Parry told Gavan, who appeared in the dock after Coxon’s sentencing, “The courts need to make it clear that prison officials who misbehave themselves face immediate detention in almost all cases.”

Cell phones have undermined prison security, he said. Judge Parry said an iPhone with explicit images of Gavan was found and paid £150 to smuggle it behind bars. Coxon had been serving time on “serious business” but Gavan had made sure he was alone with him when he was on cleaning duty.

“You are an intelligent young lady. You were in a position of trust,” Judge Parry said to Gavan. Her bank account showed two payments from the Coxon family totaling £200.

Judge Parry said she acted “completely out of character” and was genuinely remorseful. But he added: “This matter is so serious that only an immediate prison sentence can be justified.”

The court heard that Coxon had been caught attempting to pass a phone to another inmate by dragging it down a corridor with dental floss. Defense attorney Simon Rogers said he’s “done his best to change his life” since then.

The judge said Coxon had an “appalling” record.