A female prison officer who became pregnant with an inmate's baby after starting a relationship with him while he was on overnight release has avoided jail.

Sarah Barnett, 33, who worked as a member of operational support staff at HMP Sudbury in Derbys, spent two nights with Scott Taylor after he was temporarily freed from the Category D prison in August 2023, a court heard.

Taylor then stayed with Barnett following his full release days later, remaining unlawfully her home after he was recalled to jail in early September.

Derby Crown Court was told he was finally arrested on October 3, 2023 - with Barnett revealing to police she was six weeks pregnant with his child.

She subsequently admitted they were in a relationship, and said that while she knew it was 'frowned upon', claimed she was 'struggling with her mental health'.

Barnett admitted misconduct in a public office during an earlier hearing. 

When she returned for sentencing on Thursday, she was handed a two-year community order, and told she must attend 25 'Rehabilitation Activity Requirement' days.

Sarah Barnett, pictured on Thursday, who pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office after allegations of an illicit relationship with a male inmate from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire

Former prison officer Sarah Barnett, 33, (pictured) pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office at an earlier hearing

Judge Shaun Smith told Barnett that taking into account the reduction she would be due for pleading guilty, it would be 'pointless' to impose a prison sentence because it would only total around two months.

He added: 'While initially it was my view that this is something so serious that a custodial sentence has to be imposed, a court has to be very aware at the end of the day that when it comes down to what the likely length of that sentence might be, as to whether or not in all those circumstances, the best course of action is to impose a community order.

'You have complex needs and issues that need addressing.'

Philip Cowburn, prosecuting, earlier told the court that at the time of the offending, Barnett worked with inmates at HMP Sudbury 'effectively in a trainer/supervisor/instructor role', with the responsibility of supervising prisoners within the prison's internal workplaces.

He added: 'That varied from working in the industrial cleaning department, the gardens, and the carpentry workshop.

'Prior to her suspension, she was mainly stationed in the industrial cleaning workshop where she had the responsibility of supervising groups of prisoners who would deep clean areas around the establishment.

'It is said by the Crown that Scott Taylor was one of those prisoners supervised by her between July 24 and August 8.

'He was released on August 12 on resettlement overnight release.