Prison Worker Jailed for Helping Violent Robber Escape
Erica Whittingham sparked a scandal after helping violent robber Michael Seddon break free from jail. The pair started a secret romance when Whittingham worked at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire. Seddon was serving time for a brutal robbery where an elderly farmer was tied up and assaulted.
Mobile Phone and Daring Fence Climb
Their illicit relationship continued even after Seddon was moved to HMP Sudbury, an open prison nearby. He secretly used a mobile phone smuggled in to keep in touch with Whittingham. On 1 October 2019, Seddon made a bold escape, scaling a fence as staff scrambled to stop him.
Waiting for him was Whittingham, who sped him away in a getaway car. She drove him to Stoke the next morning, from where Seddon caught a train to Liverpool.
Busted at Work and Jailed for Three Years
Their cover was blown after suspicious colleagues confronted Whittingham. She confessed, quit her job, and was arrested. Despite the police probe, she met Seddon at least eight more times around the country.
Seddon was finally caught in Bournemouth in March 2020. He received a six-month sentence for escaping lawful custody.
Whittingham, of Leigh Lane, Bramshall, Uttoxeter, pleaded guilty to harbouring an escaped prisoner and misconduct in public office. On 10 August, Derby Crown Court sentenced her to three years behind bars.
Police Warn of Prison Corruption Risks
“This inmate made good his escape thanks, in part, to the assistance of a trusted member of prison staff, tasked to do the absolute opposite,” said Heather Saville from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit’s Regional Prison Intelligence Team.
“Erica Whittingham then continued her relationship with Seddon, irrespective of the police investigation, something the judge has clearly not looked too favourably upon today.”
“We work hard with the Prison Service to root out corruption. This case shows how far some will go to help dangerous offenders roam free.”
