A court was informed that a female prison officer engaged in “intimate relationships” with inmates and smuggled drugs into a jail. Kayleigh Robson, aged 29, allegedly developed inappropriate romances with prisoners at HMP Peterborough over a span of nine months. She is accused of smuggling cannabis and tobacco into the Category B privately-operated prison and participating in a suspected money laundering scheme.
Robson, from Grantham, Lincolnshire, entered not guilty pleas to all charges. During a brief hearing, the mother-of-one only verified her name, date of birth, and pleas.
The allegations suggest that between June 1, 2020, and February 28, 2021, Robson intentionally misconducted herself in a public office by engaging in “intimate relationships with prisoners.” Additionally, between July 23, 2020, and April 19, 2021, she purportedly conspired with others to bring contraband into the prison and was involved in an alleged money laundering operation that included making bank transfers.
The detailed misconduct accusation specifies that while serving as a prison officer at Peterborough, Robson misconducted herself without valid justification, abusing the public’s trust in the office holder by engaging in intimate relationships with inmates.
Robson, accompanied by three men, appeared in court, with two other individuals scheduled for later appearances. Adam Hussain (28), Ashley Neal (30), and Roy Shalliker (67) denied allegations of conspiring to introduce prohibited items into HMP Peterborough. Hussain and Neal also denied involvement in the money laundering offense.
Robson and her co-accused were granted bail, with a two-week trial scheduled for April 2027 at Huntingdon Crown Court. Judge Philip Grey expressed regret over the distant trial date, attributing the delay to the substantial court backlog. He cautioned the defendants about the consequences of failing to appear for the trial, emphasizing the potential legal repercussions and advising them to stay in contact with their solicitors and be present for the court session on April 19 next year.