A PRISON guard who "fell in love" with a manipulative inmate has been spared being put behind bars herself.

Roxanne Walker, of Molyneux Close in Upton, Wirral, appeared for sentence at Mold Crown Court today (Wednesday, May 31).

At a previous hearing, the 34-year-old had admitted offences of misconduct in a public office and cannabis possession.

Ryan Rothwell, prosecuting, told the court the defendant was employed by HMP Berwyn as a prison officer in 2021.

As is the case with all new officers, before she began her duties at the Wrexham jail, she undertook a ten-week training course - which included corruption prevention and conditioning.

But between May and October 2021, several of her colleagues became concerned about her behaviour towards an inmate named Daniel Carter.

On one occasion, she was seen on CCTV grasping and stroking his arm and 'giggling', as well as talking closely with him.

Colleagues saw her sitting on a sofa with him, having an inappropriate discussion about a night out she'd been on.

And she told one of her fellow guards that Carter was "her type."

In August, Walker was spoken to in a support meeting regarding conditioning within the prison.

During the meeting, she said she was "disappointed" that her colleagues had reported her, and claimed that whilst occasions such as the one seen on the sofa "might have looked dodgy" to others, it was "just platonic."

Despite this and other warnings and advice Walker had been given up to that point about the conduct, the relationship continued.

In September, Carter's usage of the prison's phone system was investigated, and it emerged he'd added a female called "Leanna Baker" to his list.

This was in fact Walker and it turned out that there had been numerous calls between them over a period of weeks, in which they talked about going away together and engaged in sexually explicit conversation.

By October, Carter was moved to HMP Cardiff because of the investigation into the defendant - and even then the contact continued, with 11 calls between him and the defendant being detected.

When officers arrested Walker and searched her home, they found cannabis at a level deemed to be for personal use.

She told the police: "I've made a mistake. I've fallen in love with Daniel Carter; it's completely wrong."

Andrew McInnes, defending, said: "The defendant knows how serious these matters are - and how an inappropriate relationship can undermine security.

"She has undoubtedly put herself in danger."

He explained the defendant had recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder and had been assessed as kind-hearted and caring but naive.

Mr McInnes continued: "In her words, she'd fallen in love with Daniel Carter; a prisoner who has, it seems, a history of conditioning behaviour towards staff members.

"She realised she'd been manipulated. He told her what she wanted to hear.

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"Her marriage was in difficulties and this was perhaps a vulnerable time in her life.

"She was a target and was indeed conditioned.

"The relationship, whilst serious, didn't progress physically."

Judge Niclas Parry told the defendant: "There's a very good reason why, during your induction and training, significant emphasis was placed on the importance of having appropriate relationships with prisoners.

"The security of the prison, the safety of staff, prison discipline and the safety of other prisoners are all placed at risk when officers fall to be controlled by prisoners.

"You were fully aware of maintaining an appropriate distance, but selfishly, you went ahead and had such a relationship.

"You've lost your employment and your marriage has ended, all as a result of your misconduct.

"But to your credit, you have found alternative employment and there, you're highly regarded."

Judge Parry handed down a total sentence of nine months - but was persuaded to suspend it for two years due to two "exceptional" features in the case.

Those were that Walker's inappropriate relationship had not resulted in any illegal items or assistance being given to the prisoner, and that she is the single mother to a young dependent child.

She must undertake 200 hours of unpaid work and 30 days of rehabilitation activity, as well as paying £128 by way of a victim surcharge.