Newmarket prison officer admits performing oral sex on inmate

A prison officer will be sentenced next month after admitting having an “inappropriate” relationship with a prisoner and performing oral sex on them.

Rebecca Pinckard, of Red Houses, Six Mile Bottom, Suffolk was in a relationship with the inmate at Highpoint Prison, Newmarket, between April and July 2024.

The 46-year-old was arrested and charged with wilfully neglecting to perform duty/wilfully misconducting herself while being a holder of a public office.

After appearing at Suffolk Magistrates’ Court last month, she pleaded guilty to the offence at Cambridge Crown Court and was told she would be sentenced in January.

Highpoint Prison is one of England’s largest category C facilities and holds about 1,300 inmates.

According to court documents seen by the BBC, Pinckard was “responsible” for the prisoner with whom she was in a relationship, performed a sex act on them and sent them a card.

She appeared in front of magistrates on 5 November before a plea and trial preparation hearing was set for 3 December at Cambridge Crown Court.

But the BBC has now learned she actually appeared sooner, on 19 November, when she admitted the charge and was informed she would be sentenced on 16 January.

The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) previously said it was made aware of the offence on 8 July last year.

At the time, the ERSOU – made up of staff from seven police forces in the East of England – described the then alleged relationship as “inappropriate”.

The ERSOU has been contacted for comment.