A female prison officer has appeared in court accused of forming intimate relationships with inmates and smuggling cannabis and tobacco into a Category B jail.
Allegations of Misconduct and Smuggling
Kayleigh Robson, a 29-year-old mother-of-one from Grantham, Lincolnshire, is alleged to have struck up inappropriate romances with prisoners at the privately-run HMP Peterborough. The alleged misconduct occurred over a nine-month period between 1 June 2020 and 28 February 2021.
Robson, a former prison warden, appeared at Cambridge Crown Court where she pleaded not guilty to misconduct in a public office. She also denied charges related to smuggling and money laundering.
The court heard she allegedly conspired with others to bring cannabis and tobacco into the prison between 23 July 2020 and 19 April 2021. She is further accused of becoming involved in a money laundering arrangement where bank transfers were made.
Co-Defendants and Court Proceedings
Robson appeared alongside three male co-defendants who also entered pleas. Adam Hussain, 28, Ashley Neal, 30, and Roy Shalliker, 67, all denied conspiring to bring contraband into HMP Peterborough. Hussain and Neal additionally pleaded not guilty to a money laundering offence.
All defendants were granted bail. A two-week trial has been listed, but due to significant court backlogs, it is not scheduled to begin until April 2027 at Huntingdon Crown Court.
Judge's Warning on Trial Attendance
Judge Philip Grey addressed the defendants, apologising for the distant trial date and issuing a stern warning. He stated that failure to attend court would be a separate offence, potentially leading to imprisonment and a trial proceeding in their absence.
"The trial may very well go ahead in your absence if you simply do not attend court," Judge Grey cautioned. He advised all defendants to stay in contact with their solicitors and ensure they are present at Huntingdon Law Courts on 19 April 2027.
The full charge of misconduct states that Robson, while acting as a public officer, "wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification misconducted yourself... by having intimate relationships with prisoners," amounting to an abuse of public trust.
