Mum's tattoo of a bumblebee and love heart became incriminating evidence

A mum's tattoo of a bumblebee and a love heart became incriminating evidence after police discovered the texts she had exchanged with serving prisoners. Helen Spree engaged in "inappropriate relationships" with three inmates while serving as the chair of HMP Liverpool's watchdog. This saw her exchange sexualised messages with convicts including Dylan Westall, who was mere months into the life sentence he was handed over his role in a shooting which claimed the life of a teenage boy. The mum even kept pillows emblazoned with pictures of the killer's face and operated a drug smuggling "Deliveroo for prisoners", while she went on to "confess her love" for another criminal.

Spree later pleaded guilty to offences including misconduct in a public office following a probe by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit. She appeared emotional as she was today put behind bars herself, closing her eyes then looking up to the ceiling as she received a total of five years and three months. Westall was meanwhile handed an additional year in jail, with his younger brother Michael Westall, who passed cannabis and other contraband to Spree before these wares were smuggled inside, given a 20-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months. Another of the inmates who she had a relationship with, Thomas Porterfield, was handed 22 months suspended for 18 months, while the third, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, received two years and 10 months.

Sentencing, Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: "These were not isolated acts of misconduct. They occurred frequently and over an extended period of time. Such was the extent of her activities, she became known as the prisoner's version of Deliveroo. "These were deliberate offences that required a high level of planning and sophistication in order to smuggle prohibited items into a prison.

While I accept that Helen Spree was, to an extent, manipulated by her co-defendants, she was well aware of the risks involved in forming inappropriate relationships and was not coerced in any way to act as she did. "The supply and use of illicit drugs and mobile phones in prisons are deeply corrosive to the safety of those institutions. Drugs fuel violence, debt and intimidation, drawing vulnerable prisoners into cycles of addiction which place both prisoners and staff at risk. "These were no isolated incidences of misconduct.

This was misconduct which took many different forms, which involved three separate prisoners and continued for a period of almost two years. Her offending is, in my view, of the utmost seriousness. "I accept that she was more susceptible to the flattery and attention bestowed upon her by Thomas Porterfield, Dylan Westall and [the third prisoner], who clearly saw her as a person who could be turned to their advantage.

Nevertheless, she was an intelligent woman and she should have rested their advances. "There is no suggestion that Helen Spree was motivated by any financial advantage. The benefit to her was a boost to her self esteem and the sense of being of use, albeit to hardened criminals who were using her for their own purposes. "I have no doubt that, when you took up your role with the independent monitoring board, you saw it as a new challenge and an opportunity to be a force for good.

Notwithstanding your training and appreciation of the risks involved with forming inappropriate relationships with prisoners, you allowed yourself to be used by Thomas Porterfield, Dylan Westall and [the third prisoner], each of whom was involved in serious criminality. You did it over a period of almost two years. "It is hard to imagine a greater betrayal of the public's trust in an individual than is demonstrated in your misconduct in a role which carried with it the utmost responsibility. It must be marked by a substantial period of imprisonment.

That is necessary to punish you and deter others who might allow themselves to be manipulated in a similar way." Liverpool Crown Court earlier heard that Spree joined Walton prison 's independent monitoring board in April 2017 before being appointed as chairman in January 2021. This role gave the 63-year-old, of Holly Bank Avenue in Roby , "statutory powers to go anywhere in the establishment unaccompanied", as well as allowing her to speak to prisoners and have her own set of keys.

But Andrew Scott, appearing for the crown, described how Spree "formed inappropriate relationships with three prisoners" at HMP Liverpool between December 2019 and her arrest in August 2021. This saw her call, FaceTime and exchange texts, iMessages and WhatsApp messages with these co-defendants, with the prosecution counsel saying of this: "That particular contact falls into five broad categories. "Social messages about what was going on in the lives of the prisoners and Helen Spree, sexually explicit messages, messages in which Helen Spree provides prisoners with details of searches, prisoner officer deployment, adjudications, when matters were being referred to the police and when police searches and arrests were to take place. She also suggested that she would try to assist in having adjudications thrown out." Spree's messages with the prisoners were also said to have included "criticisms of those involved with the criminal justice system, particular police and prison staff" and "requests to bring in mobile phones and associated items, Rizla papers and cannabis".

The mum-of-two meanwhile "intervened to prevent Dylan Westall from being transferred from HMP Liverpool" and personally smuggled contraband into prison. These items were purchased by Spree herself or provided to her by Westall's younger brother Michael Westall, with the deliveries becoming so frequent that she even referred to herself in her communications as the "prisoner's version of Deliveroo". She meanwhile went on to pay a sum of £100 into the 35-year-old killer's prison account in two instalments. Spree, who has no previous convictions, was said to have been the subject of a total of 78 corruption intelligence reports which were submitted to HM Prison and Probation Service between February 2020 and July 2021, with concerns having "suggested that she was overfamiliar or in inappropriate relationships with certain individual prisoners".

This led to an iPhone being recovered from the third inmate's cells on June 2 2021, with her number thereafter found to have been saved in the device under the name "H2O". Having been arrested upon her arrival at the prison on the morning of August 26 2021, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit seized items including two "custom made pillows with Mr Westall's face embossed on the front", showing him in a tuxedo with a gun in his hand, from Spree's home address, as well as thank you cards from him.

While being searched, officers noted that Spree had a tattoo of a black and yellow bumblebee alongside a red love heart on her chest, a piece which was accompanied by the word "masterpiece" underneath. While she "explained that this was a nickname her friend called her" when questioned over the artwork, a series of messages exchanged between her and her co-defendants showed her being referred to by this name by the three prisoners. She also signed off a card to Westall under this name, having told him: "Hi Dylan. Just to let you know that I am thinking about you like crazy.

Head up. You've absolutely got this Dyl. "I will write you the biggest longest letter in the world over the weekend when the reality of you being so far away from Liverpool sinks in. Keeping you in my thoughts, but you know that.

Yours, BB xxx. Your masterpiece! Hahaha! x" In one thank you card, addressed "To Bird Bird", Westall meanwhile told Spree: "You masterpiece. Hugs and kisses, Dylan xxxxx" The contents of Spree's phone were said to have revealed "key evidence" which detailed "arrangements between Helen Spree, the prisoners and Michael Westall to convey drugs, mobile telephones and other prohibited articles into HMP Liverpool over a period of approximate 20 months".

The first of her three illicit relationships concerned Porterfield, who was serving 13 years for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life. The two were found to have had phone contact between December 5 2019 and June 25 2020, including "sexually explicit chat and the exchange of sexually explicit images and videos" and her smuggling cannabis resin, an iPhone charger and SIM cards, tobacco, cigarette papers and a lighter into the jail on his behalf. Her relationship with Westall was meanwhile shown in messages between March 5 and September 5 2020, during which time the two similarly "exchanged videos, images and chat of a sexually explicit nature". This also saw the prisoner "introduce her to his younger brother", leading to them meeting at an arranged location in the L14 area for the purpose of goods being handed over before further cannabis, an iPhone, headphones, chargers, tobacco and cigarette papers were taken into the prison.

While Dylan Westall was then transferred to another prison in October 2020, she remained in contact with Michael Westall, who began instead handing her similar contraband on behalf of the third prisoner, said to be a "close associate" of the brothers. Spree's relationship with this inmate, who was serving a sentence imposed for an offence of wounding with intent, was said to have spanned from March 26 2021 until her arrest in the summer of that year, with the two again "engaging in chat of a sexually explicit nature" and "confessing their love for each other". In one exchange, she told him: "Love you so much, sweet dreams. I will be thinking about you xxx" The prisoner then replied: "Ok my love.

Can't wait to see ya. Goodnight H, love u xxx" Spree also told him in another card: "It's exactly 12 weeks or 2021 hours or 121,274 seconds, and then you will be gone from there. Can't wait to see you. If you are counting the days, it's 84.

Much love, always. Keep your head up, I miss you! xxx" Her communications with this defendant also referenced adjudications and the searches of cells, including drugs and other prohibited articles being discovered. Arthur Gibson, defending, told the court on her behalf: "To the outsider, she had had a successful career as a businesswoman. She had risen to become sales director of an international company for the United Kingdom and Ireland.

"That was the outside perception. In fact, that was a veneer which was hiding a personal life of abuse and trauma. She sought solace in a long term friend, who she eventually married. That union resulted in the birth of her eldest child.

Sadly, it became clear to both of them that their relationship was borne out of friendship rather than love. "They subsequently divorced. Having separated from her first husband, she then met a man at work, but he systematically abused her. He confessed to having an affair.

If that was not enough, it was with her best friend. "Whilst, on the face of it, Helen Spree was a successful businesswoman, a strong character, in fact, by 2017, she had become seriously damaged mentally by her dealings with men and had very low self esteem. When it came to being flattered and treated as a friend and confidante, she was easily susceptible into making what were seriously wrong judgements. "By early 2017, she was looking for a new challenge away from her employment.

She was appointed as a member of the independent monitoring board. Her appointment as chair came about simply because the previous chair left abruptly, and no one else would do it. "Much of what she said in the messages was simply bravado in order to attract more flattery and praise. The catalyst for the start of this offending is an incident involving Mr Porterfield.

She heard a loud argument between a prison officer and an inmate, in Mr Porterfield. She went to see what was happening. "Mr Porterfield had been asked to move into a cell but was refusing to do so. When she went to see what was happening, she discovered why he was refusing to go into a cell, because it was covered in excrement.

She stood up for him, and the prison staff backed down. "It seems, objectively, from that moment on, she was seen as somebody on the side of the inmates, them and us. He thanked her profusely. He continued to do so over the days and weeks, speaking to her in glowing terms.

She felt flattered. He drew her into his confidence. Given her low self esteem, she was drawn into a relationship with him. "It started with him asking for a small amount of tobacco.

Once you have done it once, you are hooked. She knew what she was doing. It snowballed to an extent that she could not stop herself." In relation to his client having apparently intervened in Westall's proposed move from Walton prison, Mr Gibson added: "That happened when his mother sadly died. It had been arranged for him to go to the funeral.

That was, sadly, stopped. There were security considerations. "She was promised that he would be afforded an opportunity to visit his mother's grave. The next thing she learned, he had been moved out of HMP Liverpool.

There may have been very good reasons for that to happen, but, to an outsider, it appeared harsh, if not vindictive, treatment. It all led to further emotional involvement, particularly with Mr Westall. "The best illustration of this is the finding of the cushions at her house. One would expect that to be something associated with a teenager's first love, not a divorced woman in her late 50s.

Perhaps it goes to show just how much she had become emotionally involved with her co-conspirators. "Since her arrest, she has become unemployed and relied on benefits. She sold her home, moving into a smaller property to provide a home for her daughter, who is in middle of her A-levels. The scale of the prosecution has taken its toll.

She has developed epilepsy. She is still awaiting treatment and surgery for a number of issues, including those which have badly affected her mobility. "She continues to have support from those who have known her for many years. Many references are from those who have responsible roles in society.

All speak highly of her, despite knowing fully what she has done.. "There is no suggestion that she engaged in this behaviour for any financial motive. What she got from this was feelings of gratitude, somebody who was loved, appreciated and wanted.

Despite the fact that she did know what she was doing, in reality, she was simply being used. It is highly likely that, even when released, she will never get over what has happened to her." Dylan Westall, now of no fixed address but from Page Moss , was previously jailed for life with a minimum term of 22 years in 2019 for the manslaughter of James Meadows . The 17-year-old victim died after being shot in the head while riding as the pillion passenger of a motorbike on Lyme Cross Road in Huyton in October 2017. His barrister Peter Hunter said of his client's response to his life sentence: "He spiralled into depression.

Just as he starts to come through this, his mother passes away. There was thought that she was thrown out of a window. Dylan was devastated. "They did arrange for him to go to his mother's funeral.

There were too many people at the graveyard. They turned around and brought him back. He said he wanted to go and visit the grave. It never happened.

"It was cannabis for his own use. Dylan has asked me to say one thing, which is very important to him. His brother Michael. Dylan takes responsibility for causing him to do this on his behalf.

At this stage, Mikey, as he is known, had no previous convictions. He was not the brightest spark in the world, but, out of loyalty to Dylan, he did it. Dylan will regret that for the rest of his life. "Dylan knows what he did and he will take it on the chin.

His earliest release date is 2040. He is 35 now. He knows what he has done to his life. He has a lot of regrets.

He has not shirked his responsibility and he apologises for his behaviour." Spree admitted misconduct in a public office, six counts of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into a prison and three charges of conspiracy to supply cannabis. Porterfield, of Greenwich Avenue in Widnes , pleaded guilty to two offences of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into a prison, conspiracy to supply cannabis and unauthorised possession of a mobile phone in a prison. The 44-year-old was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work, with Judge Flewitt telling him this afternoon: "Of the three defendants in a similar position, you are the only one with any significant personal mitigation. That comes from the way in which you have behaved since your release from custody.

"The information available to me suggests that the lengthy sentence of imprisonment you received in 2019 may have achieved its objectives. In those circumstances, if I were to order your return to custody, I would put at risk much of the good achieved by that sentence and I would send you back to an environment where you could renew criminal associations that you appear to have left behind." Dylan Westall admitted two counts of conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into a prison, conspiracy to supply cannabis and unauthorised possession of a mobile phone in a prison. Michael Westall, of Field Lane in Fazakerley , pleaded guilty to four charges of conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into a prison and two matters of conspiracy to supply cannabis. The 28-year-old will be required to serve 180 hours of unpaid work, a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 10 days and a three-month electronically monitored curfew from 8pm to 6am.

The judge added in his case: "I accept that you did not act for the desire of financial advantage but out of misguided loyalty to your brother and his friend. "Although it will almost always be the case that offences such as these will be met by immediate imprisonment, there is an additional powerful piece of mitigation available to you. That comes from your behaviour in the almost five years since." The defendant who cannot be named for legal reasons, from Huyton, admitted two counts of conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into a prison. He also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to bail, having not attended court on an earlier occasion in February.

Detective Superintendent Claire McGuire said following Tuesday's hearing: "Helen Spree's behaviour was a calculated and sustained abuse of a position that exists solely to protect the welfare and rights of people in custody. IMB volunteers are entrusted with exceptional access so they can provide independent scrutiny on behalf of the public. Instead of upholding that responsibility, Spree chose to exploit it for personal and criminal gain. "Her actions undermined the safety and stability of the prison, compromised the integrity of the IMB system, and betrayed the trust placed in her by colleagues and the public.

The evidence uncovered showed a deliberate effort to facilitate criminal activity inside the prison. "This investigation demonstrates our absolute commitment to rooting out corruption wherever it occurs. We will not hesitate to pursue anyone who abuses their access to prisons, whether they are staff, contractors, or volunteers. Working closely with HMPPS, we will continue to identify, investigate, and bring to justice those who threaten the security of our prisons and the safety of the people within them."