Woman in court over video appearing to show prison officer having sex with inmate

A prison officer accused of having sex with an inmate in a cell has appeared in court.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, of Fulham in southwest London, was charged on Sunday after a video of the alleged activity was shared on social media.

It is alleged to have happened at HMP Wandsworth between 26-28 June.

Appearing in the dock at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Monday, she spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth.

Police were made aware of a video said to have been filmed inside the prison in south London and on Friday launched an investigation.

De Sousa Abreu was arrested that same day and charged with misconduct in public office on Saturday.

The charge states De Sousa Abreu "wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public's trust in the office holder by engaging in a sexual act with a prisoner in a prison cell".

She was arrested at Heathrow Airport, the court heard, and was due to catch a flight to Madrid, having notified the prison of her travel plans.

De Sousa Abreu, who holds a Portuguese passport, was granted conditional bail and will appear at Isleworth Crown Court on 29 July.