A correctional officer who engaged in a sexual relationship with a prisoner in a prison prayer room and sent him love letters containing drugs broke down in tears in court today upon learning she could be sentenced to several years in prison.
Isabelle Dale, 23, was observed having a sexual encounter with Shahid Sharif, 33, in the worship space at HMP Coldingley in Surrey, with two inmates acting as lookouts. Following the brief encounter, Dale and Sharif emerged from the room, with Dale adjusting her belt hastily. Dale had Sharif’s nickname ‘Sneaks’ tattooed behind her neck, displayed a framed photo of them together over her bed, and referred to herself as ‘Miss Sneaky.’
Simultaneously, she was involved in a romantic relationship with another inmate, Connor Money, 28, who was serving time for causing a fatal car crash while fleeing police in Kent, while Sharif was serving a twelve-year sentence.
After the incident in the prayer room, Sharif was transferred to HMP Swaleside in Kent, but the relationship persisted. Dale purchased her own £3,000 engagement ring, sent love letters to Sharif envisioning their future outside prison, some of which were laced with synthetic cannabis or ‘Spice.’
Dale also managed Sharif’s drug-dealing Snapchat account to acquire drugs through Lilea Sallis, 27. While she admitted feeling ‘privileged’ to have Sharif in her life, she denied engaging in sexual activity with him in prison or smuggling drugs.
Following an eight-day trial, Dale was found guilty by a Southwark Crown Court jury of two counts of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison. Sharif admitted to conspiring with Dale and others to introduce drugs into the prison, while Sallis denied involvement in the conspiracy.
Although Dale and Sallis were granted unconditional bail until their sentencing in January, Judge Chris Hehir warned them that they are likely to receive substantial custodial sentences. The judge emphasized the seriousness of their offenses and instructed them to prepare for imprisonment on the sentencing day.
Earlier in the proceedings, it was revealed that Dale and Sharif were observed entering a multi-faith room in the prison for a short period, with no CCTV coverage, indicating potential sexual activity. Sharif’s message following the encounter expressed satisfaction with their intimacy.
The court also learned about Dale’s continued visits to Sharif at Swaleside, during which they engaged in affectionate behavior captured on CCTV. Love letters and flirty images exchanged between them were found in Sharif’s cell.
Dale professed deep affection for Sharif in her letters, promising to stand by him upon his release and expressing pride in being associated with him. She was arrested during a visit to Sharif, where police discovered equipment for smuggling drugs into the prison in her car.
Despite Dale’s claims that her actions were motivated by loyalty to Sharif, the court heard about her relationship with Money and her communication with other prisoners, raising concerns about her misconduct within the prison. Dale’s defense included allegations of threats and emotional manipulation by Sharif, influencing her actions.
Dale and Sallis maintained their innocence regarding the charges of misconduct and conspiracy.
