A former prison officer who shared photos of herself with an inmate and spoke about sex toys with him has avoided an immediate jail sentence.
Teresa Jackman, 54, from Appley Rise in Ryde but formerly of Yaverland Road, Sandown appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court back in February charged with being the holder of a public office wilfully neglecting to perform duty/wilfully misconducted herself.
Today (Friday), she appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing – with the charge read to her changed to ‘misconduct in a public office contrary to common law.’
The court heard how on dates between May 2021 and July 2021, the 54-year-old engaged in sexual communications with a prisoner serving a 26-year stretch, as well as visiting and unlocking his cell at times that created a risk to other inmates and staff.
She was discovered after the prison authorities received information about the relationship and, on reviewing CCTV footage from 6th July 2021, she was seen entering the prisoner’s cell at 06:12 with a bag before leaving the cell without a bag at 06:34.
The court heard how this was a time when no prisoners were allowed out of their cells as there would only be a single officer on duty and therefore her actions placed the security of the wing at risk.
Upon searching the prisoner’s cell, 6 pictures of a woman’s body were discovered printed on 2 sheets of A4 paper as well as letters and notes between the pair.
The prisoner was then interviewed and admitted that he had also spoken to her by telephone and, when phone records were later examined, 61 calls were identified between 5th June 2021 and 6th July 2021. The numerous conversations were of a sexual nature with ‘sex positions’ and ‘sex toys’ discussed.
Jackman was detained by prison staff when she arrived for work on 9th July 2021 and consented to a strip-search. An officer then noticed how moles on her body matched those of the photos recovered from the prisoner’s cell.
She admitted that the photos were of her but denied that any physical sexual act had taken place between the pair and said that she only brought him sweets from time to time.
In her defence, the Court heard how in early 2021 Jackman began to go through the menopause and that this had a significant impact on her as she experienced brain fog, night sweats and mood swings and that her actions were completely out of character.
Her actions were described as the ‘mistake of her life’ for which she was ‘desperately sorry’. Her counsel pleaded with the Court for a suspended sentence, saying that she had already been punished by losing her job, her relationship of 30 years, her home, her good name and her self-worth.
Jackman arrived at court with her bags packed, believing she would be spending her first night behind bars tonight but, outlining the mitigating factors, the Judge spared her.
Sentencing Jackman to 16 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, The Hon Mr Justice Saini KC said that while there was a ‘need to protect the confidence of the public’, Jackman had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, was of previous good character and posed no future risk to the public.
She was also made subject to a 12 month community order with an unpaid work requirement of 100 hours. She was also ordered to pay £1,500 costs and a surcharge.
That’ll learn ‘em…
…………………………………………………
Teach them!!!!!
Makes you wander which side of the bars the scum is doesn’t it? Some are better off inside than out here.
Not setting a good example, bang her up.
Should have known better
What an untrustworthy and Corrupt person she is, she should’ve got a Custodial sentence, zero excuses for what she did in a public office.
She put her work friends and colleagues in harms way and all for a bit of needless attention, then got sailed down the river by the cin
You cannot educate stupidity..
Using the Menopause as an excuse for her actions. That’s low, really low!
I think she should have just told the truth and admitted how ‘desperate’ she was!
Agreed. It just makes women seem flakey. Being menopausal has nothing to do with it
And real criminals that have and are destroying people’s lives through violence,drugs etc don’t even get investigated and by time do get sent to prison have caused great harm.
We all agree she did wrong,but no harm came to her actions, ( yes there was potential for harm unlocking cell door, but how many hundreds of times do Courts allow dangerous people to go free to harm public ,or mental health not managed ),she lost her job , partner and life from her actions , she’s not a risk to the public !.
Our systems need to focus on those that do most harm to society.
This prisoner is a child sex offender. By providing him with a mobile phone Inside he may have been able to conta t children and assessed social media. So are you still going with your reply?
It says they spoke on the phone but where does it say she provided him with a mobile phone? I’ve just re-read it and can’t see it anywhere. Do you know something nobody else does?
An utter disgrace to the system, both prison and against the equalities system in general….. If I was a male officer, I would – without doubt – be taking a copy of this so if one of them ended up in court to face such a crime, one which may have caused harm to the public, and children because of the serious nature of his offence, then I will remind the judge that will he/she take into account that, I as a male, identifying as a ManJesusMaryWoman, and has a menopause but only in my mind, but it is really because I say so, and my life is bad, my marriage ended, I’ve lost everything, even my wallet somewhere, so I didn’t mean to sleep with a peadophile, or risk the lifes of my work friends and the public, so will I get a no jail time?
Maybe she wanted a bigger pecker
As the inmate was in for 26 years then clearly a vile piece of filth so to give someone like that any sexual pleasure means you are forgiving their vile crimes
I bet if you all knew what that scum had done or if it were you or your family then you would have a different view.
The old boot needs locking away
All I can say is tough !!!
Diddums you play with fire you get burnt,,,,,,
Should have been put in prison…
Then you really could have been someone’s bitch !!!!!!
I feel sorry for your partner, they have wasted many yrs on a cheating scumbag……
And as for blaming the menopause, lol what a joke ….
No excuses for being lowlife …..
Corrupt staff present a danger to everyone, the public, children and the decent hard working staff that have to pick up the pieces. To get a suspended sentence is a joke. She blames the menopause and having brain fogs but could remember which cell this vile individual was in.