Gangster who seduced prison nurse to run crime empire from behind bars dies in jail

A gangster whose prison nurse lover assisted in fuelling a drug empire from behind bars has passed away. Joseph Whittingham, who was embroiled in a drugs scandal at HMP Lindholme in Doncaster, died at HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes on January 12.

The cause of his death is yet to be disclosed and is currently under investigation by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Originally from Bradford, Whittingham played a significant role in one of the UK's largest ever prison smuggling conspiracies involving drugs and weapons.

Along with 17 co-conspirators, they smuggled over £1 million worth of drugs, knives and mobile phones into HMP Lindholme. At 35, Whittingham had a "leading role" in the operation.

Police uncovered the smuggling network after Hatfield was caught arriving at work with drugs with an estimated prison value of £1m. She had been placed under surveillance by detectives after a tip-off about her relationship with Whittingham.

He seduced co-conspirator prison nurse Amy Hatfield and enlisted his wife Lucy and father Paul to receive payments for the contraband, reports Yorkshire Live. Judge Kirstie Watson stated that he "exploited" Hatfield's feelings for him and arranged for drugs and other banned items to be delivered to her.

Whittingham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey drugs into prison, conspiracy to convey a knife into prison and conspiracy to convey phones into prison. He received a total sentence of 11 years and four months in prison in October 2023.

Hatfield, of HMP Newhall, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to convey drugs into prison, conspiracy to convey phones into prison, conveying knives into