A female prison officer who engaged in sexual activities with a 30-year-old inmate in a cleaning cupboard when she was just 19 has been spared jail today after a judge acknowledged her “exceptional circumstances.”

Victoria Whitmore, now 22, appeared emotional during the sentencing hearing at Amersham Crown Court. She sat in the dock dressed in black as the charge of misconduct in a public office was read aloud.

The mother-of-one left her prison duties to spend time with serving prisoner Gavin McIntosh at HMP Woodhill, where the pair engaged in “kissing” and “sexual touching” inside a cleaning cupboard, the court heard.

Whitmore, who has been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, maintained that full sexual intercourse did not take place, a claim accepted by the prosecution.

The misconduct occurred between February 10, 2021, and May 8, 2021, at the high-security prison known for housing notorious inmate Charles Bronson. Whitmore had previously admitted to the offence during a plea and trial preparation hearing.

An intelligence report by Whitmore’s fellow officers led to an investigation that revealed her misconduct. Prosecutor Olivia English stated, “Ms Whitmore was leaving prison duties to spend time with a serving prisoner and having personal phone contact with a serving prisoner.

Evidence included phone call downloads with sexually explicit content and CCTV footage showing Whitmore and McIntosh entering the cleaning cupboard four times during the specified period. Whitmore was suspended from HMP Woodhill on May 20, 2021, but CCTV later captured her at HMP Swaleside, where McIntosh was transferred.

Defence counsel Oliver Pateman described McIntosh as “a manipulative and dangerous prisoner,” and emphasized Whitmore’s naivety and impressionability. He noted her status as the primary carer for her young child.

Judge Catherine Tulk acknowledged Whitmore’s compromised ability to handle unwanted sexual attention due to her age and McIntosh’s manipulation. The judge classified the misconduct as “low-level sexual conduct” and highlighted Whitmore’s potential for rehabilitation, stating, “You have demonstrated that over the past three years.”

Judge Tulk ruled that an immediate prison sentence would have a significant impact on Whitmore’s young child. Therefore, the judge found exceptional circumstances to suspend the prison sentence.

Whitmore, of Crownhill, Milton Keynes, received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She must also complete up to 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.