Hannah Angwaba, a female prison officer, has been sentenced to four years in prison for smuggling drugs into HMP Forest Bank, Salford, concealed in the braids of her hair. Angwaba, who fell in love with convicted rapist Anton McPherson, was found attempting to bring in cocaine, cannabis, miniature mobile phones, and tobacco.
Angwaba, 30, broke down in tears as the sentence was handed down. According to Mail Online, she was "exploited" by McPherson, 34, who manipulated her affection to smuggle contraband.
Angwaba's suspicious behavior led to intelligence reports within the prison, and a search of McPherson's cell in January 2020 revealed a small mobile phone, USB charger, SIM cards wrapped in cling film, and a piece of paper with Angwaba's bank details.
On January 22, 2020, Angwaba was intercepted by a senior anti-corruption officer as she arrived for her shift. During a meeting, she admitted to having a package of contraband hidden in her hair. The package contained two small mobile phones, a charging cable, two SIM cards, two USB memory sticks, cocaine, cannabis, tobacco, and cigarette papers. Prosecutor Edward Steele noted that drugs have a value around ten times higher in prison than on the street.
The court was told that there were 27.76 grams of cocaine with a purity of 79%, valued between £22,208 and £27,760, and 77 grams of cannabis with an estimated prison value of £7,700. Angwaba admitted to bringing in three previous packages, for which she received £300 and was due to be paid £500 for the seized package.
Text messages revealed McPherson's manipulation of Angwaba, initially winning her affection before using her to smuggle contraband. When Angwaba discovered McPherson was in a relationship outside the prison, Julius Marshall, another inmate, persuaded her to continue with the smuggling.
Angwaba and Marshall both pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs but were found guilty after a trial. Angwaba admitted misconduct in public office and smuggling mobile phones and tobacco into the prison. Marshall admitted unauthorized possession of a mobile phone. McPherson, now at HMP Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight, admitted to conspiracy to supply drugs and unauthorized possession of a mobile phone.
Angwaba's defense, Andrew Scott, cited her traumatic upbringing and diagnosis of emotionally unstable personality disorder, PTSD, depression, and anxiety. He described her as an "intelligent, industrious, and ambitious young woman."
McPherson's lawyer, Aubrey Sampson, noted his client's limited family contact due to his transfer to HMP Parkhurst. Marshall's lawyer, Stuart Duke, argued for a distinction between Marshall's and McPherson's roles.
Judge Jonathan Seely emphasized the seriousness of Angwaba's breach of trust as a prison officer. He acknowledged her exploitation but stressed that her actions struck at the heart of the criminal justice system. He sentenced McPherson to five years, to run consecutively with his current sentence, and Marshall to seven years, noting his prior conviction for possession with intent to supply heroin.
Angwaba, from Newton Heath, was visibly emotional as she received her four-and-a-half-year sentence.
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