Updated with sentence: Prison officer who was filmed having sex with inmate convicted

On 6 January 2025 at Isleworth Crown Court, Linda De Sousa Abreu was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment.

Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 

“The actions of this defendant have not only had an impact on the trust that the public places in prison officers, it has also tarnished that of the majority of hardworking prison staff who carry out their duties with the utmost bravery, integrity and professionalism.

“I hope today’s sentence sends a strong message that anyone in a position of authority and trust who engages in such illicit activity, will face the full force of the law”.

A HMP Wandsworth prison officer who was filmed having sex with an inmate has been convicted of misconduct in a public office.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, was on duty when she entered the prisoner’s cell on June 27 and had sex with him. The encounter was filmed by another inmate and lasted for almost five minutes.

De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office at a hearing at Isleworth Crown Court today.

The prosecution’s case was that De Sousa Abreu had wilfully committed misconduct in a public office by abusing her position as prison officer to have sex with an inmate.

After the video went viral on social media, De Sousa Abreu was identified by HMP Wandsworth staff and was arrested by the Metropolitan Police at Heathrow Airport.

She telephoned the prison as she fled to the airport to say that she was not returning to work and that her husband would return her equipment.

Tetteh Turkson, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a shocking breach of the public’s trust. De Sousa was clearly an enthusiastic participant who wrongly thought she would avoid responsibility.

“The CPS recognises there is no excuse for any prison officer who conducts themselves in such a manner, and we will never hesitate to prosecute those who abuse their position of power.

“After working closely with the Metropolitan Police to build the strongest possible case, De Sousa had no option but accept she was guilty. She will now rightly face the consequences of her actions.”