Heidi Bessant, 38, took the HMP Leyhill prisoner on dates to restaurants and hotels while he was on day release – she even handled his banking for him, a court was told
A prison worker who had a six-month affair with a drug dealer lag has been found guilty of corruption. Heidi Bessant, 38, from Wyebank Rise, Chepstow, took the inmate from HMP Leyhill out on dates to restaurants and hotels while he was on day release, even handling his banking for him.
At Bristol Crown Court, Bessant pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and received a six-month prison sentence. The court heard that detectives from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) led an investigation into Bessant, who worked as a prison operational support grade at the South Gloucestershire jail.
Between November 2023 and June 2024, she was found to have been in a relationship with a prisoner serving time for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and blackmail.
Evidence showed that the pair exchanged phone calls and text messages, spent time at hotels and restaurants during his day release, and Bessant would often pick up and return the man to the prison on the same day.
Furthermore, Bessant facilitated deposits into his prison bank account using his bank card details, further evidence of their inappropriate relationship.
PC Mark Paterson, a corruption investigator at SWROCU, stated: “Bessant’s role as an operational support grade meant she had a duty to conduct herself in a responsible, respectable and trustworthy manner. Instead, her conduct amounted to a serious breach of trust.”, reports Bristol Live.
“SWROCU will continue to work determinedly with the HMPPS counter corruption unit and the prisons in bringing to justice employees who engage in any form of criminal conduct; it simply will not be tolerated – they will be identified, investigated and prosecuted.”
HMP Leyhill made headlines earlier this month when three inmates – including murderer Matthew Armstrong – legged it on New Year’s Day. All were eventually collared and now face charges of escaping lawful custody.
Leyhill is set for expansion this year with the introduction of “rapid deployment cells” – accommodation units that are constructed offsite and can be installed on existing prison grounds.
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