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An 'infatuated' prison worker who sent photographs of herself in underwear and sexually motivated positions to an inmate was today (Fri) jailed for 12 months.
A judge heard Nikki Croft even had a pillowcase which bore an image of the prisoner, and provided him with eleven mobile phone SIM cards which were later used thousands of times.
The 51-year-old pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate relationship with the prisoner, who she referred to by the initials LZ, while serving at HMP Morton Hall, near Lincoln.
A court heard Croft received anti-corruption and professional standards training after she began working at the Category C men's jail in July 2022.
Declan Austin, prosecuting, said Croft was employed as a civilian inclusion support coordinator to help inmates with learning difficulties.
But Mr Austin told the court: 'She became infatuated with him (LZ) and accepts she started speaking to him in December 2022 into January 2023.'
Lincoln Crown Court heard rumours began to circulate within the prison about an inappropriate relationship and Croft was invited to a 'challenge meeting' on 22 February 2023 but denied any wrongdoing.
Croft had her suspension removed and resumed working at the jail in April 2023 after the investigation proved inclusive, but suspicions were again raised after she continued to stay in contact with LZ.
Nikki Croft continued an inappropriate relationship with the inmate even after she was suspected, the court heard
The civilian inclusion support coordinator sent photographs of herself in 'sexually motivated positions', the judge was told
'She sent photographs of herself to him who by this time was at HMP Lincoln, and were subsequently found in his cell,' Mr Austin explained.
'They were photos of her in sexually motivated positions, in underwear.'
Another photograph showed Croft with a ring baring the initials LZ.
Investigations revealed phone contact between the pair and a message from Croft which read 'sick of white men.'
Forensic examination of the SIM cards showed one had been used 9,477 times by inmates.
Croft's conduct left her vulnerable to blackmail and corruption for which she had received training, Recorder Luke Blackburn said
Croft, whose address cannot be disclosed because of a court order, admitted two charges of misconduct in public office.
Neil Sands, mitigating, asked the court to consider why a woman of 'adult years' had succumbed to an inmate.
'It is clear in this case there was an infatuation,' Mr Sands acknowledged.
Mr Sands suggested the reason lay in Croft's previous relationships which left her extremely vulnerable.
But passing sentence Recorder Luke Blackburn said he was unable to pass a suspended sentence on Croft because her conduct had left her vulnerable to blackmail and corruption for which she had received training.
The judge said: 'You formed a relationship with a prisoner, you became infatuated with him, so much so you sent him pictures and had a pillow at your home with a picture of him.
'The risks of that are obvious to anyone.
'You provided images of yourself in underwear to him, and provided him with eleven SIM cards.
'You continued an inappropriate relationship with him even after you were suspected.'
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