A PRISON officer at a women's jail who gave special privileges to an inmate she was having an affair with was behind bars tonight, after being told by a judge her actions undermine trust in the service.

Melissa Priestley developed “considerable affection” for inmate Leonie Kinnish at Low Newton Prison, Durham, over several weeks last autumn, before the relationship came to light.

Kinnish, 27, was serving a five-year sentence for robbery, imposed at Preston Crown Court, in January last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that other prisoners on D-wing became angry that Kinnish was granted small concessions by Priestley, including being allowed to remain out of her cell longer than permitted.

Rumours circulated about their relationship, resulting in the inmate’s cell being searched, last November.

Paul Reid, prosecuting, said the prison custody manager found many letters from Priestley to Kinnish, “speaking of very considerable affection felt by this defendant to the prisoner.”

Mr Reid said: “It would appear that affection was reciprocated in a letter written by the prisoner to the defendant.”

Priestley, who had worked at Low Newton for almost ten years, was suspended and as part of the investigation her mobile phone was examined.

It revealed a lengthy exchange between Priestley and a colleague about the relationship with the prisoner, during which she specifically mentioned it having started about the beginning of October, last year.

Although Kinnish refused to assist the inquiry, statements from inmates in neighbouring cells spoke of seeing her and the defendant, “kissing and fondling each other”.

Mr Reid told the court: “It appeared the defendant was affording Leonie Kinnish privileges not afforded other inmates.”

He said that despite being on restricted privileges, under a punishment order at one stage, she was allowed out of her cell for more than the permitted one hour a day and would regularly be the last one to be locked up at night.

“When other inmates complained, they were allowed out of their cells longer than they should have been.

“Other inmates also suspected the defendant was bringing in small gifts.”

Mr Reid said one inmate also spoke of seeing Kinnish lifting her top and exposing her breasts to Priestley.

When interviewed in mid-December, Priestley denied any wrong-doing in a prepared statement, and in a subsequent interview repeated her denials, submitting a statement saying her mobile phone conversation related to a relationship with a male colleague.

But, Mr Reid said by March this year, Priestley resigned from the Prison Service.

The 33-year-old defendant, of Sunningdale Avenue, Newton Aycliffe, who is of previous good character, admitted a charge of misconduct in public office at a hearing last month.

Ros Scott Bell, mitigating, said there was nothing illicit passed on to Kinnish, like drugs or mobile phones.

“I understand it to have been sweets and a pair of ear-rings. These were ‘trinkets of the heart’ rather than anything illegal.”

Referring to the extent of the relationship, Miss Scott Bell said: “My specific instructions were that no intimate sexual relationship has commenced.

“There were references in letters speaking about a desire to start a relationship when she was released.

“There was kissing, but not much beyond that, which shows a degree of restraint on behalf of the defendant.”

The court heard that Kinnish was transferred to Styal Prison, in Manchester, once the affair came to light.

Miss Scott Bell said Priestley’s initial denials were down to “shame and humiliation”, at what she had done.

“Clearly, when she got legal advice and had time to come to terms with what happened, she pleaded ‘guilty’ at the first hearing at this court.

“She’s extremely remorseful. It’s a case where her heart has come before her judgement.

“She knew the relationship was inappropriate.”

Miss Scott Bell said Priestley is “terrified” at the prospect of an immediate prison sentence, which would prove, “far more difficult for someone in her position.”

She added that since resigning from the Prison Service, Priestley has sought employment, and works 48-hours a week at a factory, as well as running her own hair and beauty business.

Judge Simon Hickey said until Priestley developed her “infatuation” with Kinnish she had worked hard to develop a career in the Prison Service, which she has now lost.

But he said the affair was not only an abuse of her position, but such relationships could also undermine the trust in prison staff, although he accepted it appeared to have “no impact” on security, in this case.

Despite Miss Scott Bell’s pleas for a suspended sentence, Judge Hickey said “it was just too serious” to be anything other than an immediate sentence.

Imposing a six-month sentence, he said: “The public must see there’s a condign punishment for those working in prison who betray the trust placed in them.”