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Their relationship, which lasted for five months, saw them exchange thousands of texts and calls – many of which were sexual in nature
Toni Cole, 29, was given a 12-month sentence after admitting to misconduct in a public office. (Photo via Northamptonshire Police)
A prison officer in the United Kingdom has been jailed for a year after being caught in a relationship with an inmate.
Toni Cole, 29, was given a 12-month sentence after admitting to misconduct in a public office. She had been involved with a 28-year-old prisoner at HMP Five Wells in Northamptonshire.
Their relationship, which lasted for five months, saw them exchange thousands of texts and calls – many of which were sexual in nature. Cole even sent the prisoner a picture of her underwear, The Independent reported.
Their relationship went beyond just messages, they shared kisses, and Cole was also seen on camera sitting on the inmate’s lap.
Police confirmed that Cole spent a lot of time with the prisoner at the Wellingborough prison. On February 13, at Northampton Crown Court, Cole was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay a £187 surcharge.
The relationship was revealed during a meeting on January 25, 2023. The meeting was initially arranged to discuss an unapproved overtime shift Cole had worked two days prior.
CCTV footage from that shift showed the prisoner with his arm around Cole, raising red flags. When Cole was arrested, police confiscated her mobile phone from her locker. A subsequent investigation revealed at least 18 video calls between the pair and thousands of messages exchanged between September 2022 and January 2023.
Police also discovered that Cole had promised to warn the inmate if his cell was going to be searched by her colleagues.
Detective Inspector Richard Cornell, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said that Toni Cole knew she was crossing a line. He further stressed that her actions not only put her own safety at risk but also endangered the safety of her colleagues and other inmates.
“The majority of prison staff carry out their duties to the highest standards, and I hope this sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to undermine public trust while holding positions of authority that inappropriate relationships will be robustly dealt with using the full force of the law,” he told the publication.
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United Kingdom (UK)
