Mum denies inmate fling

A prison teacher appeared in Peterborough Crown Court yesterday accused of having a sexual relationship with an inmate and smuggling cannabis behind bars.

Mum Samantha Drinkwater (48) from Ramsey is said to have had a 20-month fling with the male prisoner while working at high security jail HMP Whitemoor near March, Cambridgeshire.

She was employed by People Plus - an employment support and training services firm - at the time of the alleged offences between November 2015 and July 2017.

Judge Recorder Mark Ockleton read the charges against Drinkwater.

These were: engaging in a sexual relationship with a prisoner, bringing an SD memory card and “grade listed B article” into the prison, and possession of cannabis with intent to supply.

Drinkwater, who was arrested after allegedly trying to get cannabis into the Category A jail, pleaded not guilty to the charge of intent to supply cannabis and to engaging in a sexual relationship with a prisoner while in public office.

She pleaded guilty to possession and to bringing the SD memory card into the prison.

Prosecuting, Benedict Peers said: “A legal debate must be had it seems, as to if the defendant was in public office during the said time.

“She was a teaching assistant - we must first confirm if this counts as public office before we confirm a trial date. The trial is likely to take three days.”