Two female prison workers who had illicit relationship with same inmate at same time are sentenced
TWO female prison workers had an illicit relationship with the same inmate at the same time have been sentenced.
Aleesha Bates, 29, and Jodie Wilkes, 27, both got involved with the lag while working at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale.
The pair, who previously admitted misconduct in public office, were sentenced at Bolton Crown Court today.
Bates was jailed for two years and eight months, while Wilkes was spared jail and instead handed a 12-month sentence suspended for two years.
The court heard how Bates first got into a relationship with the inmate in December 2019 while she was working as a prison officer.
She sent the prisoner, who was jailed for drug trafficking offences, X-rated messages and naked photos of herself.
Wilkes then began seeing him in April 2020, with the pair both involved with him at the same time for two months.
She was an operational support grade (OSG), which involves “supporting the smooth and safe running of the prison”.
Police searching the prisoner’s cell found a mobile phone that exposed the relationships.
In one text, Bates had told him: “I want you 24/7. I can’t get enough of you.
“If I had it my way I would be on the phone to you every single moment.”
The pair had also exchanged X-rated photos and videos – although Bates denied there was any physical sexual contact.
Messages also revealed the prisoner had threatened Bates after she borrowed money from him and his family.
One said if she failed to return the money, would “sent two people to her house to smash her head in”.
Bates later told police she had been manipulated and “fell in love” with the prisoner.
Bob Elias, defending, said the “track record” of the prisoner who had acted as a “seducer” needed to be considered.
He told the court Bates had been “ensnared” by him and had “crossed the line” but she had been “vulnerable”.
Wilkes meanwhile accepted she had engaged in “an improper association” and confirmed she was not “manipulated” by the lag..
Judge Elliot Knopf said the gross breach of trust reached its “ultimate level” in Bates’ case.
He added: “Yes, you were ensnared [by the prisoner] but he identified you as someone who could be approached and you did not have to accept that approach.”