Linda De Sousa Abreu, a 30-year-old prison guard at HMP Wandsworth, appeared in court for the first time on Monday following allegations of misconduct involving a prisoner. The charges stem from a video that surfaced online last week, purportedly showing De Sousa Abreu engaging in a sexual act with an inmate inside one of the prison’s cells.

During her appearance at Uxbridge Magistrates Court, De Sousa Abreu, dressed in a prison-issue grey tracksuit, confirmed her name, date of birth, and address. Magistrates granted her bail after her initial hearing.

De Sousa Abreu, who resides in Fulham and is a Portuguese national, was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Friday and had been held in police custody since then. She faces charges of misconduct in public office, specifically accused of inappropriate conduct between June 26 and June 28 while serving as an officer at HMP Wandsworth.

The court heard that De Sousa Abreu, a married mother, allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a prisoner, an incident that was recorded and later circulated online. The nature of the video and its content has drawn significant attention, prompting swift legal action.

De Sousa Abreu has been ordered to return to court on July 29, when she is expected to enter a plea to the charges against her. The case continues to be under investigation as authorities seek to understand the full extent of the alleged misconduct.

This incident has sparked a broader discussion on the conduct and supervision of prison staff, highlighting the need for stringent measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.