“The prison system relies on the integrity of its staff. Your actions severely undermined that trust and could have impacted the security and morale within the institution,” he said.
“Given your current physical health and the medical care you now require, I am suspending the sentence. Otherwise, an immediate custodial sentence would have been imposed.”
He added that the intense feelings between the two could best be described as mutual obsession, with both parties equally responsible for the misconduct.
Austin-Saddington pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and bringing a mobile phone into a prison. She was sentenced to two years, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to complete 25 rehabilitation activity days.
Trengrove admitted to encouraging her misconduct and possessing a mobile phone in prison. He also admitted to using the phone for unauthorized communications.
Detective Inspector Alastair Quinn of the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) commented after the case: “We work closely with prisons in our region.
To identify and act against corruption. While the inmate’s actions were serious, the prison officer’s breach of duty was equally concerning and compromised the professionalism of her colleagues.”
