A prison officer at HM Prison Wandsworth in London has been jailed for 15 months after engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate, an incident captured on video and widely shared online.
Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office after the explicit footage led to a police investigation and significant public backlash.
Caught on Camera
On June 25, 2024, De Sousa Abreu was filmed in a cell by another inmate using an unauthorized mobile phone.
The four-and-a-half-minute recording showed her and inmate Linton Weirich, a convicted burglar serving a four-and-a-half-year sentence for stealing £65,000 (approx. 109,412.51 SGD) worth of valuables from a Kensington apartment, engaging in explicit sexual acts.
The footage also captured another inmate recording the act while reportedly smoking cannabis and providing commentary, declaring, “This is how we live at Wandsworth, bruv,” and “Guys, we made history.”
During the act, De Sousa Abreu removed her prison-issue radio, a move the court described as a severe security breach that could have put her keys at risk of being taken.
Attempted Escape and Sentencing
Following the video’s release, De Sousa Abreu tried to flee to Madrid, citing a “family emergency.”
According to Daily Mail, she informed her workplace that she would not return and arranged for her husband to collect her belongings.
However, her plan failed when police intercepted her at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal Five before she could board her flight.
At the time of the incident, De Sousa Abreu was living with her husband and their seven-year-old daughter.
Despite her family commitments, she admitted to forming an emotional attachment to Weirich, who himself had a heavily pregnant girlfriend and hoped their relationship would continue after his release.
Mental Health Factors
The court heard that De Sousa Abreu had been diagnosed with severe borderline personality disorder and ADHD, conditions that a forensic psychiatrist said made her prone to impulsive and reckless behavior.
She described her relationship with Weirich as one of emotional dependence, stating that she saw him as her “protector” and felt safe with him.
Judge Martin Edmunds KC acknowledged her mental health struggles but stressed that her actions were a severe breach of public trust.
He also noted that De Sousa Abreu enjoyed the power dynamic of her role and was fully aware of the boundaries she had crossed.
In July 2024, she pleaded guilty to misconduct, and on January 8, 2025, Isleworth Crown Court sentenced her to 15 months in prison.
Impact on the Prison System
The incident has caused lasting damage to the reputation of the prison service. The video’s circulation has led to harassment and ridicule of female officers at Wandsworth, with inmates treating them as targets for similar behavior.
In some cases, some officers’ children have even faced teasing about their parents’ jobs.
Linda De Sousa Abreu’s actions not only broke the law but also undermined the trust placed in her as a prison officer.
While her mental health struggles were acknowledged, the court made it clear that her actions had serious consequences for her colleagues, the prison service, and public confidence in the justice system.
Watch the video here:
@dailymirror Moment judge sentences prison officer for having intercouse with an inmate #fyp #dailymirror #breakingnews
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