A prison officer's career was instantly ruined when she was caught having an illicit affair with Curtis Warren while the drug dealer was behind bars.
Warren, 60, was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday, July 5 by National Crime Agency (NCA) officers on suspicion of breaching a Serious Crime Prevention Order. The order came into force in November 2022 after his release from Whitemoor Prison, Cambridgeshire, where he served the end of his sentence for drug trafficking offences.
The NCA said the alleged breaches "relate to the unauthorised use of mobile phones, vehicles, bank accounts and travel". The NCA released footage of officers battering the front door of a house in Boldon Colliery. And the ECHO understands the house belongs to Warren's partner - former prison officer Stephanie Smithwhite.
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Smithwhite, 44, was jailed for two years in 2020 over her relationship with the Liverpool gangster, nicknamed "Cocky", while she worked at HMP Frankland. The pair quickly became infatuated with each other and continued their relationship for six months while she was supposed to be responsible for Warren's security and supervision.
It was only when other officers became suspicious that the sordid affair came to an end, and Smithwhite was investigated for misconduct in a public office. But how did a respectful prison officer find herself behind bars for the love of the Toxteth-born gangster?
Where it all began
Warren and Smithwhite began their sordid affair in June 2018, when Warren was serving a 13-year sentence for conspiracy to import drugs and a further 10-year sentence for failing to pay back £198m in Proceeds of Crime. They met at HMP Frankland and were involved in a relationship for six months, until December 2018.
Stephanie Smithwhite became obsessed with the Toxteth drugs kingpin and was soon indulging in secret sex and kissing sessions in his cell at maximum security HMP Frankland, near Durham. The then 40-year-old, who sent him a photo of herself wearing a catsuit, also bedded the career criminal, nicknamed "Cocky," in the kitchen and laundry room.
The steamy tryst lasted for six months, between June and December 2018. Smithwhite became so besotted she got a tattoo of his name on her body, next to a rose. She even allegedly cut a hole in her trousers so the pair could have quick intercourse whenever the mood would strike.
Smithwhite was unable to resist the Scouse hardman's charms, despite getting specific training about manipulative and corrupting inmates. Investigators found they had called each other 213 times in just three months at the jail, which houses some of the UK's most infamous killers.
She also denied the hole in her prison uniform trousers was for sexual purposes, but Judge Jonathan Carroll said it was "hard to imagine why else it was there".
How they got caught
Staff became suspicious of Smithwhite's relationship with him and a surveillance operation was mounted. She was seen passing a note to him and receiving one back.
Warren, who manipulated her into bringing contraband into the prison after starting their affair, and asked her about prison intelligence and security cameras, tried to eat her note when officers went to retrieve it from him, the court heard. Inquiries found the messages were highly sexualised.
At first, she denied having a physical relationship with the Liverpool man, but police searched her home and found more notes, and a copy of his autobiography called Cocky, The Rise And Fall Of Curtis Warren. They also searched the business of one of her relatives and discovered 450 letters, many of which contained sexual fantasies.
They found a white Samsung phone in her car which was only used to ring one number - traced to Frankland Prison, and used by Warren. In interviews with detectives, she was said to be "devastated" but hoped there was an outside chance their relationship could continue.
Prison officer jailed
Smithwhite was jailed for two years after admitting two counts of misconduct in a public office, with one charge relating to their sexual relationship. The second count was linked to her failing to report Warren had a secret mobile phone, said to be no bigger than a £2 coin.
Judge Jonathan Carroll said: "Your conduct represents the very most grave breach of trust placed in you." Rupert Doswell, prosecuting, described the Liverpool gangster as "highly dangerous to the public" as it emerged he was known to have started relationships with other prison staff previously.
Andrew Nixon, defending Smithwhite, who is from Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, said she made a "catastrophic error of judgement." He added: "This is a woman who has fallen in love with the wrong person."
What happened next
It is unclear when Warren and Smithwhite picked up their relationship. Following his release from prison last year, a number of strict measures were imposed as part of a Serious Crime Prevention Order. These included being banned from apps like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. He also has to give notice if he is to enter a friend's car or van, as well as if he has plans to leave the country.
Following his arrest, Warren’s former barrister Anthony Barraclough said: "Any breaches will be minor transgressions. These will be very fine interpretations of restrictions I anticipate." The NCA released footage of officers raiding a house in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside - the same address Smithwhite gave to the courts when she was jailed.
Alison Abbott, from the NCA’s Lifetime Management of Offenders Team, said: "These court orders are vital tools for preventing and deterring future offending. Once criminals come onto our radar, they never leave, and the NCA will take action over breaches."
Breach of a serious crime prevention order is a criminal offence subject to a maximum sentence of five years, an unlimited fine, or both. Warren, who was previously worth around £200m, was bailed pending further enquiries, reported the Mirror.
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