Former prison officer accused of abusing position, forming ‘intimate relationships’ with inmates and smuggling drugs into jail
A former prison officer is accused of abusing her position after allegedly forming “intimate relationships” with inmates and helping smuggle drugs into jail, a court has heard.
Kayleigh Robson, 29, is charged with misconduct in a public office following claims she engaged in inappropriate relationships with prisoners while working at HMP Peterborough. Prosecutors say the alleged conduct took place over a nine-month period while Robson was employed as a prison warden.
Robson appeared before Cambridge Crown Court, where details of the charge were read aloud. The full allegation states: “At Peterborough, while acting as a public officer, namely prison officer, wilfully and without reasonable excuse or justification, misconducted yourself in a way which amounted to an abuse of the public’s trust in the office holder by having intimate relationships with prisoners.”
The court also heard claims that Robson smuggled cannabis and tobacco into the prison, though those allegations were outlined alongside a wider conspiracy case involving several defendants. Robson appeared in court with three men accused of conspiring to bring contraband into the prison.
Adam Hussain, 28, Ashley Neal, 30, and Roy Shalliker, 67, all denied the charge. Hussain and Neal also denied an additional allegation of money laundering. Two other men are expected to appear in connection with the case at a later date. All defendants were granted bail ahead of a two-week trial, which has been scheduled for April 2027 at Huntingdon Crown Court.
The lengthy delay was addressed directly by the judge during the hearing. Judge Philip Grey told those in the dock: “I am sorry that it is so far in the future. As you may know, the courts have an enormous backlog, and that is simply the first date on which we can accommodate a two-week trial.”
He went on to issue a clear warning about the consequences of failing to attend court. “I’m also required to warn you what would happen if any of you failed to attend for your trial,” he said, explaining that non-attendance could lead to a prison sentence and an arrest warrant.
Judge Grey added: “Secondly, the trial may very well go ahead in your absence if you simply do not attend court.” He warned that jurors could be told defendants chose not to appear, lawyers might withdraw, and defendants could lose the right to give evidence.
He concluded by stressing the importance of staying in contact with legal teams and returning to court on time for the trial date.
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