A prison guard who was caught having sex with an inmate in a viral jail cell video was given a 15-month sentence

Linda De Sousa Abreu of Fulham, southwest London, appeared in Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, January 6, and was given a 15-month jail sentence for misconduct in a public office. The allegations were related to instances in which she had intercourse with a male prisoner, one of which was captured on an unapproved cell phone and extensively shared on social media.

While another prisoner recorded and offered commentary, the startling four-and-a-half-minute video showed Abreu, dressed in her full prison outfit, having sex with the convict. According to The Telegraph, the video went viral and had comments like “Guys, we made history” and “This is how we live at Wandsworth, bruv.”

At sentencing, it was disclosed that Abreu had used her body-worn camera to inadvertently record herself having oral sex with the same prisoner in a different incident.

Her acts were denounced by Judge Martin Edmunds KC, who said, “This offense was not isolated.” It was a component in a pattern of behavior. He underlined the negative effects of her behavior, pointing out that it weakened years of advancements made to guarantee professionalism and respect for female employees in jails with a male preponderance.

Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport while trying to catch a flight to Madrid following the release of the footage, which prompted an investigation by prison officials.

The consequences of her conduct were detailed by Andrew Davy, governor of HMP Wandsworth, who said that female staff members at the jail have subsequently reported a rise in unwanted approaches from inmates who now saw them as “fair game.” “This defendant’s action has undone years of positive and rewarding prisoner interactions in less than a day,” Davy said in a statement to the court.

According to Rajiv Menon KC, Abreu’s lawyer, she took “full responsibility” for her acts.

“While the overwhelming majority of Prison Service staff are hardworking and honest, we’re catching more of the small minority who break the rules by bolstering our Counter Corruption Unit and strengthening our vetting processes,” a Prison Service spokesperson told the public, assuring them that efforts to combat corruption are still ongoing.