Articles by Editor,Shannon McGuigan

Technology

Female probation officer accused of having relationship with male prisoner appears in court

A female probation officer accused of having a relationship with a male prisoner has appeared in court for the first time. Bethany Dent-Reynolds, 27, attended Westminster Magistrates Court today wearing a brown coat, sunglasses, a white shirt and a scarf. She has been accused of being in 'an inappropriate, romantic relationship' with Keiran Robinson - an inmate at HMP Thameside in southeast London. The alleged relationship, between the prisoner and the probation officer, took place between March and April last year in the category B men's prison, the court was told. She has also been accused of trying to access prison computer records 'to secure unauthorised access to data' between February and May, 2024. The 27-year-old is charged with two counts of wilfully neglecting to perform her duty as a public officer and attempting to access unauthorised information on a computer. Today, she spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address. Her case has since been referred to Woolwich Crown Court - which is next door to HMP Thameside - and is scheduled to be heard next month. Sending her case to crown court, chair Alexander MacPherson told the young woman: 'We are not hearing this here in magistrates' court today. 'It's beyond our powers. Your next hearing will be at Woolwich Crown Court on the third of December, for plea and trial preparation. 'Until then, you are on unconditional bail. If you don't turn up to Woolwich Crown Court on the third, you may be committing an offence. 'Thank you very much, that completes your hearing this morning. You can go.