Casanova thug who had relationships with two prison staffers in locked-down love triangle is seen for the first time as his two lovers admit misconduct in a public office

A Casanova thug who charmed two female prison staff in an illegal love triangle while in prison was pictured today with his two lovers admitting misconduct in public office.

Michael Cronshaw, 36, was in a relationship with Aleesha Bates, 29, and Jodie Wilkes, 27, who both worked at HMP Buckley Hall, in Rochdale.

The two women pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office when they appeared at Bolton Crown Court today. Cronshaw, who had been involved in a car accident, was not in court as she admitted the offences.

The criminal – who arrived at an earlier hearing wearing a chunky gold chain – entered into a relationship with Bates between December 2019 and June 2020 while she was working as a prison officer at the Category C men's prison.

The 36-year-old lag lothario then entered into a second relationship with operational support grade (OSG) Wilkes between April and June 2020, the court heard.

Prison officer Aleesha Bates, 29, started dating him between December 2019 and June 2020

Colleague Jodie Wilkes, 27, joined the love triangle between April and June 2020

The OSG's role involves 'supporting the smooth and safe functioning of the prison' and contact with prisoners is generally limited.

Cronshaw was due to appear in the dock alongside the pair, but the court heard he was unable to attend after being injured in a road accident.

He is charged with two counts of knowingly encouraging/assisting the committee in a criminal offense – namely misconduct in a public office – by entering into a relationship and by possessing an unauthorized mobile phone in a prison.

Judge Martin Walsh, the honorary recorder of Bolton, has scheduled a plea and trial preparation hearing for Cronshaw, from Droylsden, Greater Manchester, on February 1.

He granted bail to Bates, of Heywood, Rochdale, and Wilkes, of Horwich, Bolton, and adjourned their cases for a preliminary ruling before they will be sentenced on February 13.

But he warned them it was “no indication” of the punishment they would face.

The love triangle trio previously appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court in November.

Aleesha Bates, 29, is charged with misconduct in a public office after allegedly 'having a relationship with a prisoner' while working at HMP Buckley Hall, in Rochdale

Prison colleague Jodie Wilkes, 27, is also charged with the same offence

Prison officer Aleesha Bates pictured outside Manchester court

HMP Buckley Hall dates from the 1940s but was rebuilt in 1994. It has previously been named as one of the most overcrowded prisons in England and Wales.

The intention is to hold a maximum of 455 prisoners, but an inspection last year found 469 prisoners in the prison.

Unreliable plumbing almost led to a “complete closure” of the prison, a report revealed last week.

Buckley Hall is said to have 'well exceeded its original life expectancy', with major water supply problems almost resulting in a 'mass relocation' of hundreds of prisoners last year.