Female prison officer jailed for smuggling drugs and phones into Strangeways for murderer lover – caught out by his watch
Officer’s Secret Romance Sparks Major Prison Smuggling Bust
Abigail Laidlaw, 28, has been locked up for five years and three months after police uncovered her year-long secret relationship with Troy Beckford, a 33-year-old life-sentenced murderer at HMP Manchester (Strangeways). What exposed her? Wearing Beckford’s watch to work.
The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) revealed that Laidlaw smuggled cocaine, cannabis, iPhones, and even aftershave into the prison. In return, she received cash and gifts from Beckford.
Daily Drug Deals Exposed Through WhatsApp Messages
Investigators found Laidlaw and Beckford exchanged up to 40 messages daily on WhatsApp, often involving another inmate. In chilling texts, Laidlaw bragged: “You’ve got what you want really — drugs brought in for you every day.” Further messages confirmed she hid drugs on her body to evade security checks.
Police raided her Bury home, uncovering £2,000 cash, two iPhones, and online searches about drug trafficking and money laundering.
Murderer Lover Gets More Time Behind Bars
Beckford is already serving a minimum 30-year sentence for the 2014 shooting death of Kieran McGrath outside a pub in Ashton-under-Lyne. Now he’s hit with an extra six years, running alongside his life sentence, after admitting conspiracy to smuggle prohibited items into prison.
‘Betrayal of Trust’ – Authorities React
Detective Inspector Brian Morley of NWROCU said:
“Laidlaw knew full well her actions were criminal. She endangered herself, staff, and inmates. This is a betrayal of trust and duty.”
“Drugs in prison fuel violence, debt, and self-harm. We’re dedicated to rooting out corruption in the justice system.”
Growing Worry Over Corrupt Prison Staff
Laidlaw’s case adds to a string of female officers falling foul of the law over illicit inmate relationships. Recently, PC Lorna Pennycook was jailed for leaking police data to her criminal boyfriend, accessing systems hundreds of times to help a career crook.
Calls for Tougher Vetting and Oversight
These scandals raise big questions about vetting and controls in UK prisons and police forces. Officials vow to crack down hard on corruption.
If you have info on prison corruption, contact the authorities or report anonymously through Crimestoppers.
