A former prison officer who had a baby by an inmate in her charge was jailed for 30 months today after admitting misconduct in a public office.
Kelly-Anne McDade, 31, gave birth to a baby boy in February after a relationship with Nelson Delgado, described as a “dangerous offender”, at a young offender institution in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.
She will be separated from her nine-month-old son while she is in prison.
Judge Christopher Tyrer called her behaviour disgraceful as he passed sentence at Aylesbury Crown Court. He told her: “Love is not an excuse.”
McDade, of Aylesbury, also admitted attempting to smuggle three mobile phones into the young offender institution to which Delgado, 21, was moved after their affair came to light.
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McDade had been employed at the young offender institution for three years when she started the sexual relationship with Delgado last year.
Her resignation came after she was caught on CCTV opening his cell door on the night of August 10, 2008.
Nigel Ogborne, for the prosecution, told the court that her pregnancy had already become obvious to other staff.
He said: “She was asked by the prison authorities about the pregnancy and she indicated that it was as a result of a relationship on a foreign holiday.”
When the prison governor found out that Delgado was the father he said that the relationship “could have caused a massive breach of security”, Mr Ogborne added.
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Richard Germain, defending McDade, told the court: “There is no doubt it was an inappropriate relationship, but Ms McDade would say, ‘You can’t help who you fall in love with’.
“She fell in love with this serving prisoner, who was nearly 10 years her junior.”
He said that the case was unique, adding: “At some point in the future, she and Mr Delgado hope to set up home together and bring up the child together.”
McDade tried sending three mobile telephones concealed in a stereo in March this year so that she could contact Delgado at Swinfen Hall Young Offenders Institution, in Staffordshire, after the birth of their child.
When her home was searched police found a mobile phone with a message from Delgado, whom she visits regularly, reading: “I love you, my wife.”
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They also discovered skunk cannabis, which she admitted possessing.
McDade was sentenced to 18 months in prison for trying to smuggle the mobile phones, to be followed by a further 12 months for misconduct in public office.
The judge ordered a one-month sentence, to be served concurrently, for the drugs offence.
McDade did not react as she was sentenced.
Judge Tyrer told her: “Your conduct has not only been disgraceful but has serious implications for the public good.
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“He was in your care and you were supposed to be looking after him as a prison officer.
“Your training would have warned you what to do if your feelings for him, as they did, crossed the line.
“Love is not an excuse.”
Mr Germain said: “She did not choose to fall in love with a prisoner. It was a relationship that developed quite quickly and she very quickly fell pregnant.”
The relationship is no different to that of any other couple who embark on an inappropriate affair, he said, telling the judge: “It’s a fact of life. People up and down this country, some from the great and the good, have inappropriate, illicit relationships.
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“This is one such example and it has led to her appearing in the dock before you.”
He said that being separated from her son would be extremely painful, adding: “It will be an ordeal for her.”