‘Pretty’ prison officer, 26, ‘was begged by drug dealer to visit when he moved jails to continue romance’, court hears
A DRUG dealer put his prison officer lover on his visitor list when he moved jails so they could continue their illicit affair, a court heard.
Ruth Shmylo, 26, allegedly embarked on a relationship with Harri Pullen, 24, while working at HMP Parc in Bridgend, Wales.
She is accused of having phone sex with the inmate, who was part of an organised crime gang, and meeting his mother.
Cardiff Crown Court heard Shmylo was placed on Pullen’s visitor and phone list when he was moved 200 miles away to HMP Manchester.
The prison officer had already been sacked before the move following “concerns” over her relationships with inmates.
Jurors heard the alleged five-month affair was rumbled after Pullen moved jails and the couple’s calls began being recorded.
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said: “The inappropriate relationship is demonstrated by recordings of calls by the inmate to Miss Shmylo after he had moved from Parc Prison to HMP Manchester.
“The recordings between him and Miss Shmylo relate to a time when she was no longer employed at Parc Prison.
“Nevertheless the tone of those conversations relate to a fair and sure inference that she had been in an inappropriate relationship with him while he was at Parc Prison.”
The court heard the alleged relationship started when Pullen passed a mobile number to Shmylo on a slip of paper.
They then had “teenage” style chats and phone sex after the inmate began calling “daily”, it was said.
Pullen messaged Shmylo wishing her “happy birthday princess girl” and arranged for his mother to meet up with her.
The convicted drug dealer also referred to the prison officer as his “Mrs”, jurors were told.
After she was arrested, Shmylo made “several admissions” to police.
Mr Cobbe said: “She conceded during the course of her interview that she had had phone sex with the inmate.
“She explained this was principally the inmate saying things to her, noting that ‘I was listening for the best part of it’.
“That means she was actively engaging in phone sex with the inmate – or some of it.”
Shmylo also said she felt “pressurised” to call Pullen after he gave her his number and claimed he had threatened to harm another inmate if she stopped taking his calls.
After she was sacked, Pullen’s “demeanour” and “conduct” went downhill and he self-harmed.
Shmylo, of Pontypridd, Wales, denies misconduct in a public office.
The trial continues.
