The Johnson Partnership, News

21/05/25

A 24-year-old female prison officer has been sentenced to 10 months in prison after admitting to a romantic and physical relationship with an inmate at HMP Lindholme in Doncaster.

Morgan Farr Varney, formerly of Stainforth, North Yorkshire, was caught on CCTV entering a cupboard with the male prisoner and loitering with him on the prison wing, Sheffield Crown Court heard. The footage led to an investigation, during which Farr Varney confessed she had "proper fell in love with him" and admitted she had "messed" her life up.

25/04/25

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a house explosion in Worksop that left one man dead. Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 43-year-old man was taken into custody for questioning before being released on bail as investigations continue.

The body of 53-year-old David Howard was found beneath the rubble after the blast, which occurred at around 7:39pm on April 12. Two terraced houses were completely destroyed in the explosion, and emergency services remain on site as they work to determine the cause.

20/03/25

Fewer than 1 in 200 crimes result in jail time, with career criminals often avoiding justice, new analysis reveals. An estimated 13 million crimes occurred in the year to September 2024, but only 71,573 jail sentences were handed down, equating to just 0.5%. This data highlights that prolific offenders, responsible for a significant portion of crime, continue to evade prison. The number of prolific offenders has risen over the past decade, with many being spared jail despite having dozens of prior convictions.

24/02/25

Criminals sentenced to community service are being allowed to complete up to 30% of their required hours at home, according to a watchdog report. The HM Inspectorate of Probation found that offenders were spending this time on online education and training (ETE) courses—despite most considering them unhelpful and lacking valid certification.

27/01/25

Organised crime gangs using drones to smuggle contraband have effectively seized control of the airspace over two high-security prisons, posing a serious risk to national security, according to Charlie Taylor, the Chief Inspector of Prisons. Taylor revealed that HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire and HMP Manchester have become hubs for illegal trade, with organized criminals using drones to deliver drugs, mobile phones, and weapons to inmates, including gang leaders and terrorists.