Female prison warder faces jail over affair with inmate

A FEMALE prison warder who had a relationship with an inmate has been told she faces jail herself.

Kelly Needham, 37, was employed as an officer at HMP Hull when she struck up a relationship with Martin Gower, 27.

She failed to report he had a mobile phone and was caught smuggling his top-up card out of the prison to put credit on it.

Staff and fellow prisoners had suspicions about the pair and it led to the fling coming to light earlier this year.

Needham appeared at Hull Crown Court on Friday dressed in a smart suit with her long dark hair tied in a pony tail.

She pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office between February 9 and April 29 this year, in relation to the relationship.

Needham admitted a further charge of misconduct in a public office as she failed to remove a mobile phone and top-up card from a prisoner.

She admitted a third charge in respect of smuggling the card out of the prison.

Details of Gower's offending were not revealed during the court hearing.

Needham's barrister Richard Thompson said: "The indictment has been formed in this way as a result of discussions between the defence and the crown."

The Probation Service is set to prepare a pre-sentence report and Needham is due to be sentenced next month.

She was granted bail prior to sentence on the grounds she does not contact Gower or members of his family.

Judge Simon Jack told Needham: "You have now pleaded guilty to the charges and I will adjourn the case for a pre- sentence report so the judge who deals with you has the fullest possible information about you.

"I will renew your bail but the fact I am adjourning the case for further reports must not be taken as an indication as to the outcome of this case.

"These are serious offences and all sentencing options are available."

Afterwards, the Prison Service insisted Needham was a rare exception in the prison warden profession.

A spokesman said: "The vast majority of Prison Service staff are honest, hard-working and professional.

"We are determined to deal with those who are not."