Add The New York Post on Google A teenage British prison guard who sent X-rated videos to a killer inmate she fell in love with was spared jail time of her own — because the judge couldn’t believe “a 19-year-old girl” was allowed to work in the “lion’s den” of a male prison.
Samantha Stowell was 19 when she struck up a three-month relationship with Conor Dobson, an inmate at a prison in Manchester, northwest England, where she worked.
The now-23-year-old sent “explicit” pictures and videos of herself in her underwear to Dobson, who was serving time in prison for killing a grandmother in a hit-and-run crash, the Sun reported.
She also video-called him topless and exchanged romantic messages, describing herself as “his princess.”
Stowell pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between March 2022 and August 2023, but was spared prison and handed a six-month sentence suspended for 24 months instead.
Judge Patrick Field said Stowell’s age at the time was a “significant” mitigating factor in his decision.
“I will leave it to others to question how it was that a 19-year-old girl is sent into Manchester Prison — into the lion’s den,” he said in sentencing.
Stowell received sums of cash from her prison boyfriend via his relative, including almost $700 for a “dinner date,” more than $300 for jewelry, and over $250 for a hair appointment, the jury was told.
When questioned by police, Stowell admitted she had “been stupid and didn’t want to go to prison.”
She also said she had “appreciated” Dobson’s attention after splitting up with a boyfriend.
Stowell was fired from her job in August 2023 when she failed to return to work, the jury heard.
She was “mortified, embarrassed and full of regret,” her defense attorney said.
As well as a suspended sentence, Stowell was ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation days, carry out 250 hours of community service, and pay almost $350 in costs.
