'Daily kissing and drugs every day': Strangeways prison officer had 'intimate' behind-bars relationship with convicted killer

EXCLUSIVE: 'You've got what you want really, drugs brought in for you every day'

A Strangeways prison officer in a relationship with a convicted murderer smuggled drugs behind bars for her locked-up lover, the Manchester Evening News can reveal.

Police said messages recovered on Abigail Laidlaw's mobile phone after her arrest 'clearly indicated' she was in an 'intimate relationship' with Troy Beckford. The relationship, said detectives, included 'daily kissing whilst she was at work' at HMP Manchester.

One message she sent him read: "You've got what you want really, drugs brought in for you every day."

Beckford, 33, was jailed for life in June, 2016, after he was convicted by a jury of the murder of Kieran McGrath. The 26-year-old, from Clayton, Manchester, was gunned down in the car park of the Sheldon Arms pub in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, on October 4, 2014.

Laidlaw, 28, a prison officer at HMP Manchester at the time of her offending, has now been jailed for five years and three months. She pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office, two counts of conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison and possession of criminal property.

Beckford, who was ordered to serve a minimum of 30 years for the murder, was said by police to be 'under her care' at Strangeways.

He's been sentenced to six years, concurrent to the life sentence he is already serving, after admitting a charge of conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison.

An investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) found 'daily communication' between Laidlaw, Beckford and a third unnamed prisoner at Strangeways.

Contact between Laidlaw and Beckford, formerly of Golborne, Wigan, spanned almost a year, with 'up to 40' interactions a day, the police unit said after a sentencing hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday.

The messages, uncovered after a search of Laidlaw's home at the time in Bury, showed she 'regularly secreted' drugs including cocaine on her person and smuggled them past security at Strangeways for Beckford, in return for gifts and cash payments from the outside.

Detective Inspector Brian Morley, from the NWROCU, said: "Laidlaw received training on prison corruption and was fully aware that her actions were wrong. Her behaviour not only endangered herself, but also her colleagues and inmates."

In a statement, the NWROCU said: "The investigation began in July 2021, when police received intelligence indicating that Laidlaw, a prison officer at HMP Manchester, was involved in a relationship with Beckford, a prisoner under her care. The intelligence indicated that Laidlaw was smuggling drugs and other contraband into the prison for Beckford."

Laidlaw, of East Street, Rossendale, Lancashire, was said to have been 'confronted by her manager' in November, 2021, after she was seen wearing Beckford's watch. But police said she assured them she was aware of the dangers and risks of prisoners manipulating staff and 'there was no cause for concern'. She also said she was fully aware of the reporting protocols in place at Strangeways.

Searches of Beckford's cell in the months that followed uncovered four mobile phones. "Call data analysis revealed daily communication between Laidlaw, Beckford, and another prisoner," said the NWROCU.

"The contact between Laidlaw and Beckford spanned nearly a year, with up to 40 interactions per day. When Beckford had to change his number due to cell searches, he promptly provided Laidlaw with the new number to maintain their communication."

The possession and use of mobile phones by prisoners in jails is against the law.

Laidlaw was arrested in May, 2022. In a search of her home, police found £,2000 cash and two iPhones. A WhatsApp chat group was also uncovered, where police said Laidlaw 'discussed smuggling items such as aftershave, cannabis, and iPhones into the prison in exchange for cash'.

"Laidlaw's search history showed searches relating to drug quantities, money laundering, and Beckford's name," added the NWROCU. "Police uncovered messages between Laidlaw and Beckford discussing the smuggling of drugs, including cannabis and cocaine, into HMP Manchester for him in exchange for payment. They also frequently spoke about their relationship and future plans.

"The messages clearly indicated that Laidlaw was involved in an intimate relationship with Beckford, including daily kissing whilst she was at work. Additionally, the messages revealed that Laidlaw regularly secreted the drugs including cocaine, on her person and smuggled them into the prison to evade prison security and deliver them to Beckford."

In August 2021, Beckford sent Laidlaw an image of cannabis blocks and asked her to 'sort this thing out'. Police said she agreed. Then, a month later, Laidlaw told Beckford in a message: "You've got what you want really, drugs brought in for you every day."

She is said to have added: "I'll bring stuff in for you and leave it at that - we don’t need to be in a relationship."

Det Insp Morley said Laidlaw conveyed drugs into the prison 'for a considerable period of time' in return for gifts and cash payments. "The presence of drugs in prison severely undermines the good order and discipline of the establishment, often leading to violence, self-harm, bullying, and debt," he said.

"I want to reassure the honest, dedicated, and hardworking prison staff that we will continue to take decisive action against any member of staff who engages in corrupt activities. We strongly encourage anyone with information about corruption in our prisons to come forward and report it."

Four men in total - Remi Adams, Anthony Henry, Jace Smith and Beckford - were all convicted of the murder of Mr McGrath after what a court heard was a 'bitter' and long-running 'feud'.