A young prison officer who called a convicted killer her “Little Princess” after beginning work at Strangeways aged just 19 has escaped an immediate jail sentence.
Samantha Stowell embarked on a three-month relationship with inmate Conor Dobson while employed at the high-security Manchester prison, a court was told today.
Dobson, a serial offender, was serving 15 years for killing a 70-year-old retired nurse after driving a stolen Mercedes at 135mph.
The pair swapped dozens of messages after professing their “love” for one another, including sexually explicit exchanges as well as topless photographs and videos.
The court also heard Dobson transferred money into Stowell’s bank account so she could buy presents for herself, with the payments adding up to £1,200.
A judge today questioned why she was allowed to start work at the prison, which he dubbed a ‘lion’s den’, aged 19 before starting the relationship when she was 20.
But he spared a sobbing Stowell – now aged 23 – from going into custody herself, instead imposing a suspended prison sentence.
She joined the prison service in 2022 before being deployed to Alpha wing of the notorious jail, formally known as HMP Manchester.
Samantha Stowell (pictured) began a relationship with inmate Conor Dobson after starting work at Strangeways prison in Manchester
Conor Dobson, then aged 24, was jailed for 15 years in 2018 after admitting the manslaughter of retired nurse Rebecca Nevins, 70, when he smashed into her Ford Fiesta while fleeing police
Richard Holland, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court she underwent anti-corruption training, which included warnings about engaging in inappropriate relationships with prisoners.
However, an investigation was launched after prison staff found an iPhone in a search of Dobson’s cell.
In November 2017 he was trying to evade police while behind the wheel of a £30,000 stolen Mercedes near Horsham, West Sussex when it ploughed into Rebecca Nevins’ Ford Fiesta, inflicting catastrophic injuries on the grandmother.
Dobson was jailed in 2018 after admitting manslaughter and burglary and ordered to serve a minimum of ten years in prison.
Stowell later told prison governors she was aware of the find and her own phone was seized following her arrest.
Analysis of the phones revealed the pair had been in regular contact between February and August 2023.
Dobson told Stowell that she ‘had eyes that make me fall in love’ and she responded by telling him: ‘You make me so happy, love you.’
The pair repeatedly declared their love for one another and said they wanted ‘the best’ for each other, Mr Holland said, ‘after talking things through’.
Stowell described herself as Dobson’s ‘little princess’
Rebecca Nevins (pictured) ‘lit up the lives of those around her’, grieving relatives told a court when Dobson was locked up in 2018
Stowell spoke of them ‘finally being together properly again’, saying: ‘I miss you more every day Conor Thomas Dobson.’
She added: ‘Hopefully, I can be your little princess one day again.
‘You actually have such a special place in my heart.
‘All my love always, Samantha.’
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She then sent Dobson two videos of herself – one showing her on all fours on the floor in her underwear and the other showing ‘explicit’ images of herself.
Stowell also video-called Dobson in her underwear while he was topless in his cell, and they both sent further topless photos of themselves to each other.
Mr Holland outlined how various cash sums were paid into Stowell’s bank account via a relative of Dobson.
One for £500 was referenced ‘dinner date’, while others for £240 and £200 were referenced ‘Tiffany and Co’ and ‘hair’ respectively.
Dobson also messaged Stowell after one payment, saying it was ‘bracelet day’.
In total, the court heard, she received almost £1,200.
Stowell (pictured) video-called Dobson in her underwear while he was topless in his cell, a court heard
The illicit relationship with uncovered after prison investigators seized the pair’s phones
After Stowell was questioned by police, she initially offered no comment but then admitted she’d ‘been stupid and didn’t want to go to prison’.
She also said Dobson had provided a ‘support system’ for her when she went on sick leave after discovering another prisoner had hanged himself in his cell.
Stowell also said she had ‘appreciated’ Dobson’s attention after splitting up from her boyfriend.
She was dismissed in August 2023 when she failed to return to work, the court heard.
Stowell, of Atherton, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office between March 13, 2022, and August 10, 2023.
Graham Rishton, defending, said she was ‘mortified, embarrassed and full of regret’.
Judge Patrick Field said a ‘significant’ mitigating factor was Stowell’s age at the time.
He said: ‘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.’
The judge said it was no surprise ‘more sophisticated prisoners should try to exploit her’ and her ‘immaturity and lack of life experience’ was a material factor, along with her lack of previous convictions.
He handed her a six-month sentence but suspended it for 24 months, saying her offending was ‘serious’.
‘You formed a relationship with an older man who was a prisoner,’ he said.
‘Such a relationship was wholly inappropriate.
‘You knew you shouldn’t do it because of your training, but you nevertheless went ahead.’
Stowell was also ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation days, carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £250 costs.
A sobbing Stowell left the dock to be embraced by her smiling family in the public gallery.