Female ex-prison officer, 30, appears in court accused of being filmed having sex with inmate at HMP Wandsworth after being arrested at Heathrow Airport

A female prison officer accused of being filmed having sex with an inmate in a cell was arrested by police at Heathrow Airport, it was revealed today.

The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent probe on Friday after officers were made aware of a video said to have been filmed inside HMP Wandsworth.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, who worked as a guard at HMP Wandsworth, was apprehended at Heathrow Airport on Saturday before a flight to see relatives in Madrid.

She was attempting to travel on a Portuguese passport, which was seized by the Metropolitan Police. 

Ms De Sousa Abreu appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court in West London this afternoon charged with misconduct in public office by 'engaging in a sexual act with a Prisoner in a prison cell.'

Wearing a custody-issue grey tracksuit, she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address. 

Prosecuting Niamh McDonagh told the court: 'Ms De Sousa Abreu was apprehended at Heathrow Airport where a flight had been booked for Madrid. I believe she has relatives living there.

'A Portuguese passport was seized by police when she was apprehended. She is a Portuguese national with a Portuguese passport. '

Defending, Gayathri Yogarajah said Ms De Sousa Abreu had notified HMP Wandsworth, telling them of her travel plans which was duly passed on to Scotland Yard.

The 30-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 29 at Isleworth Crown Court.

She must remain at the southwest London address given in court.  

Her Portuguese passport must remain with the police and she cannot make any attempt to retrieve it.

She is forbidden from applying or being in possession of international travel documents and she must hand over her Portuguese Identity card that she could travel on.

Ms Da Sousa Abreu is also forbidden to enter any UK port and must be electronically monitored between the hours of 9am and 7pm.

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Staff corruption is not tolerated and the former prison officer allegedly featured in this video has been reported to the police. 

'It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate.'