A female prison guard has appeared in court accused of having an illicit relationship with an inmate and showering him with gifts.
Jade Gittins, 36, allegedly struck up a forbidden romance with the prisoner at HMP Holme House, a category C men's prison in Stockton-on-Tees.
She is accused of handing over her personal phone number, bringing him gifts and discussing when fellow prison officers were on duty.
Gittins appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Thursday charged with committing misconduct in a public office.
The relationship with the unnamed inmate was said to have taken place in 2023, when she was aged 33.
Gittins is alleged to have misconducted herself 'wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification' which 'amounted to an abuse of the public's trust'.
Jade Gittins was accompanied by her fiancé Mathew Bult as she appeared in court over an alleged fling with inmate at HMP Holme House, a category C men's prison in Stockton-on-Tees
Gittins, 36, is said to have showered the inmate with gifts and given him her mobile number
The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2023 - the same year Gittins got engaged to her fiance Mr Bult (pictured)
The charge states that she did so by 'entering into a relationship with a fellow prisoner, providing your personal mobile telephone number to that prisoner, giving gifts to the prisoner and discussing colleagues' shift patterns'.
Gittins, of Washington, near Sunderland, in Tyne and Wear, was accompanied to court by her fiancé Matthew Bult.
She spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth during a brief hearing in which she was supported by a man believed to be her partner.
District Judge Adrian Lower said the matter was so serious that it could only be heard by a Crown Court judge, who has increased sentencing powers.
He said: 'Miss Gittins, the matter that you face is a matter that can only be dealt with at the Crown Court, at the moment Teesside, where you should appear on December 4 at 9.30am.
'I am granting you unconditional bail until then.'
Gittins' court appearance comes amid mounting concern about inappropriate relationships between prison staff and inmates.
More than 50 female officers have been convicted over inappropriate relationships with inmates since 2020.
Last month, custody officer Jade Morris, 37, was jailed for 12 months after conducting a secret relationship with convicted drug dealer Jerome Nunes at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.
Birmingham Crown Court heard the pair exchanged more than 5,000 illicit Snapchat messages using a secret mobile phone.
In August, two female officers were jailed after becoming romantically involved with two prisoner brothers at HMP Buckley Hall in Greater Manchester.
Jai Gascoyne, 25, and Elle Walton, 27, were each jailed for more than a year after pleading guilty to misconduct in a public office.
Investigators discovered love letters, Valentine's cards and jewellery exchanged between the officers and the inmates, Dil and Haq Nawaz.
One of the main reasons given for the increase in prison staff corruption cases is the number of inexperienced staff in prisons.
A parliamentary research briefing in May revealed that, at the turn of the year, a third of prison officers had less than three years' service.
Of 22,067 uniformed officers, just 5,519 had ten years or more of experience.
HM Chief Inspector of Prisons, Charlie Taylor, suggested inadequate vetting and training was enabling criminals to exploit young recruits.
Gittins is accused of discussing with the inmate when fellow prison officers were on duty
He said: 'What they'll do is that a new member of staff will start.
'They'll set a couple of prisoners on him or her. Start bullying them, giving them a really hard time, being a bit crazy with them, and then some very charming person will come along and say, 'Leave them alone. How dare you speak to her like that. Don't worry, love, you're with me.'
'By then they've already begun to reel that person in and begin a collusive-type relationship. And that immediately is something that sophisticated prisoners can start to try and exploit.'
A Prison Service spokesperson previously said: 'The majority of prison staff are honest and hard-working, regardless of their age.
'We are catching more of the minority who break the rules.'
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