A female prison officer accused of having sex with an inmate at Wandsworth prison in an X-rated film appeared in court today.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, was charged after a video of the alleged activity was shared on social media.
She appeared in the glass bay of Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court dressed all in grey, speaking only to confirm her name, address and date of birth – before hiding her face and carrying a large suitcase as she left the court.
The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent investigation on Friday after officers were made aware of a video allegedly recorded at HMP Wandsworth in south London between June 26 and 28.
De Sousa Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport and was due to catch a flight to Madrid after informing the prison of her travel plans, the court heard.
Linda De Sousa Abreu leaves Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court
Ms De Sousa Abreu appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates Court in West London this afternoon charged with misconduct in a public office by ‘performing a sexual act with a prisoner in a prison cell’
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, (appeared in court today) who worked as a security guard at HMP Wandsworth, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday
Prosecutor Niamh McDonagh told the court: ‘Ms De Sousa Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport where she was booked on a flight to Madrid. I believe she has relatives living there.
‘When she was arrested, her Portuguese passport was confiscated by the police. She is a Portuguese citizen with a Portuguese passport.’
Gayathri Yogarajah defended her, saying Ms De Sousa Abreu had informed HMP Wandsworth of her travel plans and these had then been passed on to Scotland Yard.
The 30-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear for a plea and case management hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on July 29.
De Sousa Abreu hides her face as she leaves Uxbridge court
The ex-prison guard leaves the courtroom with a large suitcase
The ex-prison guard carried a large suitcase and hid her face as she left the courtroom
De Sousa Abreu pulled the hoodie over her face as she left the field
The Metropolitan Police have launched an urgent investigation after being made aware of a video allegedly filmed at HMP Wandsworth (pictured)
She must remain at the address given in court in south-west London.
Her Portuguese passport must remain with the police and she must make no attempt to get it back.
She is prohibited from applying for or possessing international travel documents and must present her Portuguese identity card which allows her to travel.
Ms Da Sousa Abreu is also prohibited from entering any UK port and must undergo electronic surveillance between 9am and 7pm.
A Prison Service spokesman said: ‘Staff corruption will not be tolerated and the former prison officer allegedly seen in this video has been reported to police.
“It would be inappropriate to comment further while they are conducting their investigation.”
HMP Wandsworth is a Category ‘B’ Victorian prison with a capacity for 1,371 people. The prison was opened in 1851.