Prison Officer caught having Sex with Inmate in Store Cupboard

Shania Begum, aged 25, of Shropshire, was jailed for 16 months after she was caught on camera having sex with an inmate while she worked as a prison officer.

Whilst working at HMP Birmingham, Begum struck up an “inappropriate relationship” with Joshua Mullings.

Birmingham Crown Court heard Begum used a store cupboard to engage in “play fighting, flirting, heavy petting, and penetrative sex” with the inmate.

However, their trysts were busted when prison bosses became suspicious and installed a camera, which caught them red-handed.

An anti-corruption probe was carried out after prison intelligence led bosses to believe Begum was having a relationship with Mullings.

Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting, said: “At the time she was a prison officer at HMP Birmingham and had been from December 3, 2018.

“The intelligence suggested the relationship was intimate and taking place within a store cupboard within the prison.

“Cameras were placed within the store cupboard and between September 22 and 29, 2022, the defendant and Joshua Mullings were observed engaging in sexual activity.”

The activity also included the prison officer giving Mullings oral sex on at least two occasions.

The footage also showed Begum’s radio going off, which she ignored. She had also been interrupted by other staff members.

In one instance, she could not be located for approximately an hour.

When Begum was arrested, her phone was seized and her internet browsing history revealed she was interested in Mullings and the media reports about him.

Mr Oscroft said Begum’s conduct “undermines confidence in the prison system, causes problems with prison order and has an impact on the stability and welfare of the prison estate”.

Begum previously admitted misconduct in a public office.

Andrew Baker, defending, said: “She is of previous good character and almost at a loss to explain her conduct. She is deeply remorseful.”

Begum was a carer for her mother and elder sister who were both in relatively poor health.

Mr Baker said she was under pressure at the time due to an arranged marriage. This caused her to behave in an “out of character way”.

He added that Begum felt “cherished” by Mullings who had been exploiting her.

Sentencing, Judge John Butterfield said:

“As time went by you fell under suspicion and secret surveillance cameras were set up in the store cupboard.”

“You and he repeatedly spent time together in that store cupboard to be physically intimate, up to and including penetrative physical acts.

“You were observed engaging in consensual activity whilst on duty.”

The judge added that Begum’s actions had a “corrosive effect” on the prison system.

Begum was jailed for 16 months.