Prison officer in relationship with inmate admits drugs supply charges

Hannah Stewart, who worked at HMP Featherstone, and three men, including two serving convicts, appeared in the dock at Stafford Crown Court accused of conspiracy offences.

Stewart, aged 27, of Oaks Drive, Featherstone, near Wolverhampton pleaded guilty to a separate charge of misconduct in a judicial office.

The charge states that between March 1, 2012 and November 23 last year, while employed as an operations support officer, by engaging in a sexual relationship with an inmate and conspiring to supply drugs, she committed misconduct.

Stewart also pleaded guilty to two charges of conspiracy to supply drugs - class B cannabis and a variety of chemical compound class C substances - between the same dates.

She denied two charges of conspiracy to convey prohibited articles - drugs and mobile phones - in to prison and the prosecution accepted those pleas.

However, Mr David Bennett, prosecuting, said Stewart had put forward bases to her guilty pleas which were not accepted by the crown.

The three co-accused, Ricardo Edwards aged 30, Andrelle Leedham, aged 25, of Thompson Avenue, Blakenhall, Wolverhampton and Christopher Lewis, aged 37, all pleaded NOT guilty to all four charges of conspiracy. Their cases were adjourned for trial on 3 November at Stafford.

Edwards and Lewis are serving prisoners, Leedham was remanded on unconditional bail.

Judge Michael Challinor told Stewart she would be sentenced after the trial of her three co-accused. He remanded her on conditional bail for reports.