Prison officer, 23, ‘engaged in sex act in prayer room with prisoner while inmates kept lookout’
A prisoner officer has appeared in court after engaging in a sex act with an inmate in a prison prayer room.
Isabelle Dale, 23, is accused of having a sexual relationship with convicted robber Shahid Sharif at HMP Coldingley in Surrey.
And, after Sharif was transferred following the alleged encounter to HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, Dale is said to have conspired with him to smuggle synthetic cannabis, known as 'spice,' into the prison.
CCTV footage from 19 July 2022 shows Dale and Sharif entering the prayer room at HMP Coldingley while two inmates appeared to act as lookouts.
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The pair left the room just four minutes later with Dale appearing to 'readjust her belt area'.
She also allegedly sent flirty messages to Sharif via the 'email a prisoner system' and transferred £100 to the inmate.
And, following his transfer to HMP Swaleside, Sharif got Dale to help him smuggle envelopes 'laced with spice' into his new prison.
She visited the prisoner on three separate occasions between September and October 2022, with CCTV footage showing her 'embracing and kissing' him on one visit.
The prison officer also allegedly operated Sharif’s drug-dealing Snapchat account and sourced synthetic cannabis from an associate of his called Lilea Sallis.
Following her arrest, investigators found a packet of carbon paper used to hide contraband from prison x-ray machines as well as a 'framed canvas' of herself and Sharif hanging above her bed.
Yesterday (27 October), Dale - who joined the prison service in 2021 - appeared at Southwark Crown Court for the first day of her trial.
Speaking for the prosecution, Kieran Brand said: "This case concerns allegations of prison corruption and the smuggling into prison of drugs and telephones. At the time this indictment is concerned with, the first defendant, Isabelle Dale was a serving prison officer at HMP Coldingley.
"The prosecution case is that she was in a sexual relationship with a male named Shahid Sharif who was a serving prison inmate, initially at HMP Coldingley while Miss Dale worked there.
"Their intimate relationship led to Miss Dale agreeing with him to smuggle contraband, including the illegal drug 'spice' into the prison. The spice was to be supplied by the second defendant, Lilea Sallis, who was an associate of Mr Sharif.
"It is further alleged that Miss Dale had a sexual relationship with at least one other prisoner."
Dale denies all charges made against her.
Topics: Crime, Sex and Relationships, UK News
Bec Oakes