Two prison workers had relationships with the same inmate and exchanged thousands of messages with him, court hears

Two female prison workers had inappropriate relationships with an inmate who exchanged thousands of messages with them at the same time, a court heard.

Prison officer Aleesha Bates, 30, sent naked pictures to the Casanova crook, saying she 'wanted him 24/7'. Jodie Wilkes, 27, admitted striking up an 'improper association', but claimed nothing 'sexual' happened.

Both women got to know the prisoner at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, Bolton Crown Court was told.

Bates was the first to strike up a relationship with the man, who had been jailed for drugs trafficking offences and cannot be named for legal reasons, in December 2019, prosecutor Brian Berlyne said.

She became 'completely infatuated' with the man, sent him X-rated messages and naked photos, and even planned their future together once he was released, the court heard.

Over a period of seven months, Bates exchanged 4,500 messages and enjoyed frequent phone calls with the prisoner. In one message she said: '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 women's relationships with the convict came to light after a mobile phone was found in his cell in June 2020. Mr Berlyne said analysis of the handset uncovered calls and messages between the inmate and Bates, plus photos of them together.

'The messages contained evidence of an intimate relationship between them, with Miss Bates expressing love for the prisoner and expressing plans for after his release,' he said.

'She also sent him sexually explicit images and videos.'

The phone also showed 'dozens' of messages to Wilkes, who was an operational support worker and began messaging the crook in April 2020. 

Both women admitted misconduct in a public office at a previous hearing. Judge Elliot Knopf said Bates had committed a 'gross breach of trust'.

Sentencing her to two years and eight months in prison, he said: 'Yes, you were ensnared but he identified you as someone who could be approached and you did not have to accept that approach.'

He spared Wilkes jail and handed her a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. She was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.