Prison warden jailed for aiding inmate lover in crime spree
5:36 PM EDT, July 5, 2024
A lovestruck prison warden and police officer sacrificed her life for a murderer. The woman left her job to be with a man sentenced to 17 years in prison. Now, she will spend almost five years in prison herself.
Love supposedly doesn't choose. A saying repeated by many couples aims to whitewash betrayals, workplace affairs, or even pedophilic relationships. "But he/she loves me!" is supposed to cure all the pain caused to other people. In reality, love sometimes turns out to be temporary, and the problems it creates linger for years for former lovers.
Prison warden cast off uniform for a murderer
The unusual incident took place in Bolton, United Kingdom. Prison warden and police officer Stephanie Heaps fell head over heels for murderer Layten Ramsden. Ramsden was sentenced to 17 years in prison for murder committed in a pub. His victim, a father of three, was fatally stabbed twice, once in the heart. Hours before the tragedy, Ramsden ominously posted on Facebook: "I am twisted at home... feeling like I want to kill someone."
Heaps met Ramsden at HMP Wymott in Leyland, where she worked as a prison warden since 2018. Ramsden pursued her from the start, and eventually, he succeeded. The infatuated Heaps assisted him in money laundering, organized a burglary of her ex-partner's apartment, and passed on confidential prison and police information.
An illegal phone facilitated contact
Heaps communicated with Ramsden using a phone illegally smuggled into the prison. She helped Ramsden with drug dealing within the facility. Ramsden generously rewarded her: funding a trip to Iceland, a kitchen renovation, and giving her an Apple Watch. Police estimate Ramsden made about £12,700 ($15,460) from drug dealing thanks to Heaps. The couple eventually married during one of their prison meetings.
Prison for love?
The lovers' case went to court. Heaps admitted to two charges of abuse of office, communicating with Ramsden via an illegal cell phone, conspiracy to commit burglary, and conspiracy to launder money. Her lawyer, Laura Nash, stated that Heaps had mental health issues and claimed Ramsden had "pursued" her. Nash added that Heaps is "vulnerable" and has "low self-esteem," seeking a "stable and loving relationship." For her crimes, Heaps was sentenced to four years and three months in prison.
Judge Jon Close, delivering the verdict, said psychological assessments showed Heaps was "fundamentally unsuitable" for work in the prison service and police, and guilty of a "significant breach of trust." "Your acceptance of money can be described as profiting from someone else's criminality," he said during his closing speech.
Layten Ramsden admitted to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to launder money, three counts of possessing a cell phone in prison, and supplying cannabis in prison. The judge sentenced him to an additional five years and seven months in prison. Before being led out of the courtroom, the couple kissed goodbye.
