Female jail officer, 29, faces jail after admitting having an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with an inmate

A 29-year-old prison officer faces time behind bars after confessing to having an ‘inappropriate’ relationship with an inmate. 

Zoe Oldham appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to plead guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office during her service at HMP Risley in Warrington. 

The prison guard had participated in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with an inmate between March 1, 2023 and December 19, 2023, the court heard. 

She wore a beige coat and a black dress, and spoke only to confirm her name as well as her date of birth. 

Mitigating, Damian Nolan, said there were over 1,100 messages of evidence in the case, while adding his client admitted to the charges lodged against her.   

‘This lady has young children. Perhaps for obvious reasons, I would ask the court to consider sentencing her in the New Year,’ he said. 

Zoe Oldham (pictured) had participated in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with an inmate between March 1, 2023 and December 19, 2023, the court heard

Her co-defendant Lewis Smith was also scheduled to appear yesterday, however his case was postponed due to tech issues with his video link.

Oldham of Lancashire will remain on unconditional bail ahead of a hearing on December 16.  She is set to be sentenced on January 9, 2026. 

According to the Liverpool Echo, Judge Andrew Menary KC told the mother: ‘I am going to adjourn your case for sentencing.

‘Sentencing will take place on the 9th of January. The fact that a report is being ordered must not be taken as any indication. These matters are serious.

‘You should prepare for the possibility of a custodial sentence. The court will consider all matters which are relevant for sentence.’