Two female jail staff due in court over claims they dated same inmate

by · Mail Online

Two female prison staff are due in court today accused of having a relationship with the same inmate at the same time.

Aleesha Bates, 29, and Jodie Wilkes, 27, are both charged with misconduct in public office after allegedly 'engaging in a relationship with a prisoner' while working at HMP Buckley Hall, in Rochdale.

Due to appear alongside them in the dock at Bolton Crown Court is Michael Cronshaw, 36.

He is charged with two counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission on an indictable offence - namely misconduct in public office - by engaging in a relationship.

Cronshaw is also charged with possessing an unauthorised mobile inside a prison.

Aleesha Bates, 29, is charged with misconduct in public office after allegedly 'engaging in a relationship with a prisoner' while working at HMP Buckley Hall, in Rochdale
Prison colleague Jodie Wilkes, 27, is also charged with the same offence 
Bates, from Heywood, Rochdale, is accused of having a relationship with Michael Cronshaw between December 2019 and June 2020 while she was a prison officer. Wilkes allegedly had her relationship between April and June 2020

Bates, from Heywood, Rochdale, is accused of having a relationship with Cronshaw between December 2019 and June 2020 while working as a prison officer at the Category C male prison, which has a capacity of 450.

Operational support grade Wilkes, from Horwich, Bolton, is said to have conducted her relationship with him between April and June 2020.

The OSG role involves 'supporting the smooth and safe running of the prison' and contact with prisoners tends to be limited.

All three appeared at Manchester Magistrates' Court in November and have yet to enter pleas to the charges.