A prison guard’s clandestine relationship with a convicted sex offender inmate was uncovered following illicit communication, including a vulgar Valentine’s Day card discovered in the inmate’s cell.
Livvy Edney, aged 44, professed her affection for prisoner Paul Young while serving as his supervising officer at HMP Channings Wood, a court revealed. They maintained contact through monitored three-way phone calls involving Young’s mother, an approved contact, with Edney assuming the alias ‘Jules.’
Upon their discovery, a Valentine’s Day card featuring two penguins was found by officers in Young’s cell, containing an extremely explicit message. Young was also found to have shared poems with Edney, discussed romantic getaways to Venice, and requested photos of her breasts, as reported by Devon Live.
Suspicions arose among staff regarding their relationship before Young, who was serving a Public Protection sentence for a serious sexual offense, was relocated to HMP The Verne. Edney displayed significant concern for Young and offered to tidy his cell, prosecutor Tom Bradnock stated.
Despite the transfer, the pair continued to violate regulations. Phone recordings captured them expressing love, making post-release plans, and discussing a potential trip to Venice. They mentioned exchanging clothing to have each other’s scents for sleeping, along with references to sexual activities and coordinated masturbation sessions.
The calls, lasting 30 minutes each, “clearly demonstrated an inappropriate relationship” between them, the prosecutor remarked.
“The prosecution cannot definitively confirm, based on the recorded transcripts, whether a physical relationship existed,” Bradnock noted. “However, it was evidently contemplated.”
Their final call occurred on February 11, 2023, with Edney arrested just a month later. Investigation of her phone revealed searches related to Young and IPP sentences, while the Valentine’s Day card was found in Young’s cell.
Edney, residing in Grenville Avenue, Torquay, initially denied any wrongdoing. The court learned about her troubled childhood, ADHD diagnosis, recent return to work after illness, and limited experience, though she acknowledged her actions violated prison rules.
The court also heard that Young had previously engaged in a relationship with another prison officer, which piqued Edney’s interest. She denied any sexual involvement in the affair. Judge James Patrick commented, “There is no evidence of that, but your relationship was undeniably highly sexual, even if not physical.”
Edney pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and received a six-month jail sentence at Exeter Crown Court. The judge emphasized, “Offenses of this nature jeopardize public trust in the system.”
Detective Sergeant Will Martel of the SWROCU stated, “Edney went to great lengths to conceal the relationship, fully aware of its serious breach of her position. Corruption within our prisons will not be tolerated. Collaborating closely with HMPPS, prison staff, and law enforcement partners, we will persist in eradicating such misconduct.”