Bethany Dent-Reynolds attended Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, November 5, wearing a brown coat over a white shirt, with sunglasses on the top of her head.
The 27-year-old is accused of engaging in an “inappropriate, romantic relationship” with Kieran Robinson, a serving prisoner at HMP Belmarsh, a category A men’s prison in Thamesmead.
Charges also accuse Dent-Reynolds, of Forest Hill, of trying to access prison computer records to “secure unauthorised access to data”.
Her case was sent to Woolwich Crown Court to be heard next month.
The court was told the alleged relationship between probation officer Dent-Reynolds and prisoner Robinson took place between March and April last year.
She is charged with two counts of wilfully neglecting to perform her duty as a public officer and attempting to access unauthorised information on a computer between February and May last year.
Dent-Reynolds spoke in court only to confirm her name, date of birth and address.
Sending her case to crown court, chair Alexander MacPherson told Dent-Reynolds: “We are not hearing this here in magistrates’ court today.
“It’s beyond our powers. Your next hearing will be at Woolwich Crown Court on the third of December, for plea and trial preparation.
“Until then, you are on unconditional bail. If you don’t turn up to Woolwich Crown Court on the third, you may be committing an offence.
“Thank you very much, that completes your hearing this morning. You can go.”
