| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Linda de Sousa Abreu |
| Age | 30 (at time of sentencing in 2025) |
| Occupation | Prison Officer at HMP Wandsworth |
| Offence | Misconduct in a public office |
| Incident Date | 25-28 June 2024 |
| Verdict | Pleaded guilty |
| Sentence | 15 months’ imprisonment |
| Sentence Date | 6 January 2025 |
Overview of the Incident and Aftermath
The incident occurred when de Sousa Abreu, who was on duty, entered the cell of an inmate and engaged in sexual acts with him. The encounter was filmed by another prisoner and lasted for nearly five minutes . The video was later shared on social media, where it quickly went viral, leading to her identification by prison staff .
After the video surfaced, de Sousa Abreu attempted to flee the UK. She was arrested by police at Heathrow Airport as she was about to board a flight to Madrid with her father . She initially claimed in her police statement that she acted under duress, but prosecutors dismissed this account as “entirely false” after she pleaded guilty .
Court Proceedings and Sentence
De Sousa Abreu pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a public office at Isleworth Crown Court . During the sentencing, the court heard several aggravating factors:
- Repeat Behaviour: The court was told that the video was not an isolated incident. De Sousa Abreu had admitted to sexual activity with the same prisoner on an additional occasion, and another recording was found on her prison-issue body-worn camera .
- Impact on Colleagues: The governor of Wandsworth prison stated that her actions had undone “many years of work on behalf of female staff in all-male prisons.” Following the incident, female officers reported an increase in being “hit on” by inmates and were being “considered fair game” . Some officers’ children were even teased at school .
- Aggravating Circumstances: De Sousa Abreu allowed a second prisoner to be present and film the act on an illicit mobile phone while he appeared to be smoking cannabis. As a serving officer, she did nothing to challenge this .
Sentencing her, Judge Martin Edmunds KC stated that her conduct was “immensely serious,” had undermined discipline, and put her fellow officers at increased risk . Reports also noted that de Sousa Abreu had a dormant OnlyFans account with her husband, which the judge mentioned, noting she was “certainly not naive about the media or social media” .
Wider Context
This case is part of a broader issue within the UK prison system. Reports indicate that a number of female prison officers have been dismissed or charged in recent years for engaging in inappropriate relationships with inmates, highlighting concerns about corruption, staff supervision, and working conditions in prisons .
I hope this comprehensive overview answers your questions about the case. Would you like me to clarify any specific details?