A female prison officer at HMP The Verne in Dorset has received a suspended sentence after engaging in a six-month illicit relationship with Bradley Trengrove, a convicted rapist and child sex offender. Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington, 29, became deeply infatuated with Trengrove, 31, who was transferred to the prison from Cornwall, sparking a dangerous and highly inappropriate liaison.
During their affair, Austin-Saddington and Trengrove reportedly had unprotected sex up to 40 times, often meeting inside prison workshops when supervision was minimal. The relationship became so intense she saved his contact under “husband to be” on her phone and even smuggled a mobile phone into the prison to maintain contact. Austin-Saddington later became pregnant by Trengrove but tragically lost the baby after about eight weeks.
When Trengrove was moved to HMP Channings Wood in Devon, Austin-Saddington continued the relationship by visiting him using a false identity. In a shocking attempt to conceive again, she attempted to “artificially inseminate” herself with his sperm using an empty Calpol syringe concealed in her bra, which was discovered during a security search.
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Austin-Saddington, a mother of three from Weymouth, had previously raised concerns over her professional conduct, receiving a written warning and extending her probation amid suspicions of inappropriate prisoner relationships. Despite these warnings, her infatuation with Trengrove escalated.
At Bournemouth Crown Court, prosecutors highlighted the overwhelming emotional messages Austin-Saddington sent, declaring Trengrove “the one” and her “reason for living.” The judge acknowledged the breach of trust and serious misconduct but opted for a suspended sentence, considering her recent debilitating spinal injury which has left her wheelchair-bound.
Trengrove, serving a 13-year extended sentence for prior sexual offences, was handed an additional two years and three months for his involvement in the misconduct. Defence lawyers for both parties described the relationship as driven by genuine emotional obsession rather than corruption or coercion.
Detective Inspector Alastair Quinn emphasized the ongoing commitment to combating corruption within the prison system, stating they will continue to pursue offenders attempting to undermine prison integrity and staff professionalism.
Austin-Saddington pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office and smuggling a mobile phone into prison, receiving a two-year sentence suspended for 18 months along with rehabilitation requirements. Trengrove admitted related offences concerning the unauthorized use of a phone inside the prison.