A court has heard that a prison officer allegedly engaged in a sexual act with an inmate in a prayer room while two other inmates served as lookouts. Isabelle Dale, 23, is facing accusations of involvement with convicted robber Shahid Sharif, who was serving a twelve-year sentence at HMP Coldingley in Surrey. Prosecutors claim that Dale later conspired with Sharif and others to smuggle envelopes containing synthetic cannabis, known as “spice,” into HMP Swaleside on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent following his transfer.
Dale, who denies the charges, appeared in Southwark Crown Court for the start of a trial anticipated to span two weeks. Allegations suggest that Dale managed Sharif’s drug-dealing Snapchat account and was responsible for obtaining synthetic cannabis from his associate, Lilea Sallis, in Brighton. Law enforcement discovered drug-smuggling tools in Dale’s vehicle, along with an engagement ring reportedly purchased by Sharif for her. Sallis also appeared in court alongside Dale.
The prosecution, led by Kieran Brand, outlined the case involving prison corruption and drug and phone smuggling. Dale, a serving prison officer at HMP Coldingley, allegedly had a sexual relationship with Sharif, leading to their collaboration in smuggling contraband, including “spice,” into the facility. Sallis, who supplied the synthetic cannabis, was also implicated in the scheme. Moreover, Dale is accused of engaging in sexual relations with at least one other prisoner.
During the trial, jurors learned that Dale joined the prison service in September 2021 and was briefed on the “Counter Corruption and Reporting Wrongdoing Policy framework.” Brand described an incident on July 19, 2022, where Dale and Sharif were observed entering a multi-faith room within the prison, with two inmates acting as lookouts. Subsequent investigations revealed a sexually explicit message from Sharif on Dale’s phone following the alleged encounter.
Further evidence presented by Brand indicated that Dale visited Sharif multiple times at HMP Swaleside between September and October 2022, engaging in intimate gestures during the visits. Dale also sent flirtatious images to Sharif through the prison’s email system and transferred money to him while employed as a prison officer. Upon Dale’s arrest, law enforcement found contraband-hiding materials in her car and a framed picture of the couple in her residence.
Brand highlighted that a search of Sharif’s cell after Dale’s arrest yielded love letters and provocative photos from Dale. Additionally, phone downloads from Dale’s device revealed a physical relationship with another inmate at HMP Coldingley, Connor Money. The evidence suggested ongoing communication with prisoners via illicit mobile phones while Dale was working as a prison officer.
Sharif allegedly instructed Dale on smuggling techniques for the “spice-soaked envelopes” into the prison for distribution. The instructions included strategies to avoid detection and trips to Brighton to retrieve the contraband from Sallis. Dale, from Portsmouth, denies charges of misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to convey prohibited articles into prison. Sallis, from East Sussex, denies involvement in conspiring to convey prohibited items into prison. The trial is ongoing.
