Linda De Sousa Abreu, a 31-year-old prison officer, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for engaging in sexual activity with an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, London.
The incident, filmed by another prisoner, occurred on 25 June 2024 and lasted nearly five minutes.
During her sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court on Monday, Judge Martin Edmunds KC described her actions as “immensely serious.” He stated, “You engaged in sexual activity with a prisoner. That compromised your role as an officer and was misconduct which undermines discipline within the prison, putting fellow officers at increased risk.”
The viral footage led to De Sousa Abreu’s identification and arrest at Heathrow Airport on 28 June 2024. She had attempted to flee to Madrid after informing her employer she would not return to work.
De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office on 29 July 2024.
The court heard that De Sousa Abreu had a history of mental health issues and trauma. On the day of the incident, she consented to the sexual activity and allowed another inmate to film it, despite knowing the risks. The video was later shared online without her consent, causing significant consequences.
Judge Edmunds noted De Sousa Abreu’s “evident enthusiasm” in the act and revealed that she had also engaged in sexual activity with the same inmate earlier that day and on a previous occasion. He added, “Whether you intended it or not, the fact is that the video went viral and caused great harm.”
The repercussions extended beyond De Sousa Abreu. Female officers at HMP Wandsworth reported increased abuse, harassment, and sexual advances from prisoners following the video’s release. Some officers’ children were teased at school about their parents’ professions.
Judge Edmunds remarked, “It is inevitable that the damage for which you were responsible at Wandsworth has spread, to some degree, through the prison estate.”
De Sousa Abreu will serve half of her 15-month sentence in custody, with the remainder on licence. She also received a 95-day reduction for wearing an electronic tag for 190 days.
A Prison Service spokesperson condemned the incident, stating that such behaviour undermines the integrity of the system.
