A prison governor in the UK is behind bars after being found guilty of having a sexual relationship with a woman inmate.
Russell Thorne demanded sex from the prisoner in return for giving her sweets, biscuits, Nescafe Gold Blend and yogurts.
She had fallen in love with Thorne, 41, but was terrified of losing her perks or being transferred if she refused him. On one occasion the woman was afraid Thorne would cancel a party organised for her at HMP Downview in Sutton, Surrey.
Guildford Crown Court heard Thorne and the inmate, who cannot be named, had a three-year affair. At one point she feared she was pregnant.
The relationship began in the summer of 2006. Three months later, he forced her into a sex act in his office.
The woman told the jury: “I wasn’t really ready for that because I was scared, but he said, ‘It’s an order’ so I said ‘OK’.”
She was concerned about her party, the court heard. “I thought that if I didn’t have sex with him, he would probably call it off or probably wouldn’t want to buy anything for the party,” the woman said.
Another inmate would stand guard while they were having sex in his office, the library or a store room.
Sometimes Thorne simply hung his coat over his office window to stop anyone seeing in.
The woman, who was often tearful during her evidence, recalled how he made her feel special by buying her gifts such as bed linen and curtains for her room.
Ian Acheson, prosecuting, told the jury there might, superficially, be a “funny side” to the case.
He said: “You might visualise a real-life version of what, 20 to 30 years ago, the Carry On team may have suggested as Carry On Inside, with Sid James playing the role of the prison officer and Barbara Windsor in a short skirt perched on his desk.
“There is temptation to view this as good clean British fun, but set that to one side.” Although the sex had been consensual, Thorne had abused his position, said Mr Acheson.
Prison officer Thorne, of Sutton, who was acting governor at the jail, denied two charges of misconduct in a public office. He was convicted on one count and cleared of the other.
Judge Michael Addison remanded him in custody and he will be sentenced later.
Fellow officer Simon Dykes, 45, also of Sutton, was cleared on three charges of misconduct in a public office yesterday. Jurors will resume deliberations on three other misconduct charges against Dykes on Monday. He was released on bail.
A Prison Service spokesman said: “We take the issue of staff corruption and inappropriate behaviour extremely seriously.
-With express.co.uk input
