Overview
- Zoe Oldham, 29, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to misconduct in public office tied to her role at HMP Risley in Warrington.
- Prosecutors say the conduct occurred between March 1 and December 19, 2023, and involved an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner.
- Defense counsel told the court the case includes more than 1,100 messages, while indicating disputes remain over how the evidence is interpreted.
- Judge Andrew Menary KC scheduled sentencing for January 9, 2026, and warned Oldham to prepare for the possibility of a custodial sentence.
- Co-defendant Lewis Smith did not appear due to video-link issues and now has a December 15 hearing on prison possession charges including a mobile phone, a prohibited item, and an alleged class C steroid.