Prison officer admits performing oral sex on inmate
A prison officer will be sentenced next month after admitting having an “inappropriate” relationship with a prisoner and performing oral sex on him.
Rebecca Pinckard, of Red Houses in Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk, was in a relationship with the inmate at Highpoint Prison in Newmarket between April and July 2024.
The 46-year-old man was arrested and charged with willful neglect/willful misconduct while a public servant.
He pleaded guilty at Cambridge Crown Court after appearing at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court last month and was told he would be sentenced in January.
Highpoint Prison is one of the largest category C facilities in England and houses around 1,300 prisoners.
According to court documents seen by the BBC, Pinckard was “responsible” for the prisoner with whom she was in a relationship performing sexual acts on her and sending her a card.
He appeared before magistrates on 5 November before a plea and trial preparation hearing was held at Cambridge Crown Court on 3 December.
However, the BBC has learned that he actually appeared earlier, on November 19, at which time he admitted the charge and was informed that he would be sentenced on January 16.
‘He clearly abused his position’
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) was notified of the attack on July 8 last year.
At the time, ERSOU, which consists of staff from seven police forces in the east of England, described the alleged relationship as “inappropriate”.
Det Insp Puneet Netar, of ERSOU’s regional organized crime unit, said: “Rebecca Pinckard clearly abused her position as a prison officer and made a conscious decision to engage in a relationship with a prisoner.
“Public confidence in the justice system depends on integrity and our team works closely with the Prison Service to ensure those responsible are fully investigated where abuse or corruption occurs.
“We will continue to work with partner organizations to target those who abuse their positions and ensure they are held accountable.”
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