A PRISON nurse had sex with a convicted rapist at HMP Wakefield, a jury heard.
Nurse Karen Cosford, 47 , also performed a sex act on lifer Brian McBride in his cell while two other health care officers stood guard outside, Leeds Crown Court was told.
It’s also alleged Cosford and three others, who all worked in the healthcare unit at the Love Lane jail turned a blind eye to him having a phone.
Cosford, Carolyn Falloon, Jacqueline Flynn and David Sunderland, are all accused of misconduct in a public office.
Prosecutor Richard Wright told Leeds Crown Court today (Friday): “Throughout 2008 and 2009 the prosecution contends that roles and responsibilities within the healthcare centre were turned on their heads as members of staff, prison officers and prison service nurses, allowed themselves to be drawn into an utterly corrupt relationships with Brian McBride that undermined the integrity, safety and security of the prison.”
He said McBride was an accomplished liar and fantasist who portrayed himself as being significantly wealthy outside of prison.
The court heard he had regular access to the defendants in his prison approved job as a cleaner at the healthcare unit.
Mr Wright said the defendants were in a position of special trust and responsibility who had been trained to maintain appropriate professional standards.
Mr Wright added: “Instead each of these defendants entered into a corrupt relationship with the prisoner that even, in the case of Karen Cosford extended to having a sexual relationship with him.
“The defendants all knew he was in possession of mobile telephones and SIM Cards. They all knew these were prohibited items that even they as staff could not take into the secure areas of the prison.
“Not only did they not chose to report it, they went further and in the case of Cosford and Falloon bought mobile telephone credit for him, thereby allowing him to top up and continue to use his telephones in blatant breach of prison security.
“Cosford, Falloon and Flynn also engaged in regular text messaging and telephone conversations with McBride while not at work.”
He said a common feature of their communication related to money and the belief McBride was a very wealthy man.
Mr Wright said: “Sunderland supplied McBride with a crib sheet setting out how he could access mobile telephone handsets. His home telephone number was found stored in one of McBride’s SIM cards, he too, we say, knew McBride had a mobile telephone within the prison.”
Cosford, of Marston Walk, Altfots, denies three charges of misconduct in a public office.
She claimed to police she was raped and blackmailed by McBride.
But the prosecution say she was a “willing participant in the relationship.”
Carolyn Falloon, 50, of Manor Crescent, Walton, denies three counts of misconduct, Jacqueline Flynn, 46, of The Leys, South Kirkby, denies two misconduct counts, and David Sunderland, 49, of Millcroft Lofthouse, denies one misconduct charge.
The trial continues.