A NEWLY-TRAINED prison guard has avoided jail after he was caught kissing an inmate just months after taking up his first post.

Charlie Hanbury, 27, of St David’s Road, Abergavenny, was caught kissing the prisoner by another guard at Usk Prison in May.

He later admitted to entering into a relationship with the prisoner, who is serving a seven-year sentence for sexual offences.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Friday (September 14) that Hanbury joined the prison service in November 2017, and was detailed to HMP Usk.

Before taking up his duties at the prison, explained prosecutor Nuhu Gobir, Hanbury competed 14 weeks training, which would have included several presentations about inappropriate relationships.

“Sometime in April, the prisoner informed an officer that he could the defendant attractive,” Mr Gobir told the court.

“The prisoner asked to speak to the defendant in private. He told him he was gay and said that he found the defendant attractive. The prisoner suggested they leave it at that.

“Several minutes later the defendant asked to come into the prisoners’ cell. There, the defendant told the prisoner that he liked him too, and that he was also gay.

“The defendant returned some time later under the disguise of carrying out a cell check. He put the lock on the latch and placed his hands around the defendant’s neck and kissed him on the lips.”

The relationship continued with the defendant and prisoner kissing each other on another four or five occasions, and exchanging love letters in which Hanbury spoke of his anxiety at not being able to have an open relationship with the prisoner.

The couple were caught when another officer became suspicious of the amount of time Hanbury was spending in the prisoner’s cell. The prison officer opened the latch on the cell door and saw them embracing.

On June 12, Hanbury confirmed his relationship with the prisoner to a care and support officer at Usk prison. He asked if he could carry on the relationship, and handed in his resignation when he was told no.

He later pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in a judicial or public office.

Mr Gobir read out extracts from a litter written by the Governor of Usk prison to the court, in which he explained relationships between staff and prisoners were forbidden because of the serious security and care implications.

Speaking in mitigation, Steve Thomas told the court that this case was different as the majority of cases involve relationships between guards and prisoners involved items being taken into the prison by defendants.

He also alluded to Hanbury’s troubled mental health history, which dates back to at least 2010, suggesting the defendant was a vulnerable individual who shouldn’t have bee allowed to hold the position of prison guard.

“He is fully aware of what he has done,” said Mr Thomas.

“This defendant didn’t become a prisoner officer to seek sexual encounters with inmates.

“He believed that he was in a genuine relationship. Contact between the two has now ended.

“Your honour is also fully aware of the difficulties faced by former prison guards who are sent into the system as prisoners.”

Judge Jonathan Furness QC told the defendant that it was obvious a deterrent sentence should be imposed, but added he took the defendant’s extensive background of mental health issues into consideration, along with the fact that he did not abuse his position to extend favour to the prisoner.

“In your case, and by the finest of margins, I’ve decided to suspend the sentence,” said the judge, handing down a six month sentence suspended for two years.

Hanbury will also have to pay £500 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Applicants for prison officer roles are given the opportunity to disclose medical conditions at the first stage of the application process. Those with known medical conditions are given relevant support by the Prison Service.”