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.

Corrections officer Aleesha Bates, 30, sent nude photographs to the Casanova offender, saying she “wanted him 24/7”. Jodie Wilkes, 27, admitted to having an “inappropriate association” but claimed nothing “sexual” happened to her.

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

Bates was the first to form a relationship with the man, who had been jailed for drug trafficking offenses and cannot be identified for legal reasons, in December 2019, prosecutor Brian Berlyne said.

She fell “completely in love” with the man, sent him X-rated messages and nude photographs, and even planned their future together once he was released, the court heard.

Jodie Wilkes, 27 (pictured), admitted having an “inappropriate association” but claimed nothing “sexual” happened. Both women admitted misconduct in public office in a previous hearing

Both women met the prisoner at HMP Buckley Hall in Rochdale, the court was told.

Over a seven-month period, Bates exchanged 4,500 messages and enjoyed frequent phone calls with the prisoner. In a message she said: ‘I love you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Can not get enough of you. If it were up to me, I would be on the phone with you at all times.

The women’s relationships with the convict came to light after a mobile phone was found in his cell in June 2020. Berlyne said analysis of the phone uncovered calls and messages between the inmate and Bates, as well as photographs 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 for Wilkes, who was an operational support worker and began sending messages to the offender in April 2020.

Both women admitted misconduct in public office in a previous hearing. Judge Elliot Knopf said Bates had committed a “serious breach of trust”.

Sentencing her to two years and eight months in prison, he said: “Yes, you were set up, 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 him a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years. He was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.