Prison guard who allegedly had sex with cop killer inmate fronts court
A FEMALE prison guard accused of sharing a romance with a cop killer inmate appears to “want to continue” the relationship despite being charged over the affair, court documents allege.
NSW
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A FEMALE prison guard accused of sharing a romance with a cop killer inmate appears to “want to continue” the relationship despite being charged over the affair, court documents allege.
Suspended prison guard Amy Meshell Connors, 34, is accused of maintaining an intimate relationship with Sione Penisini at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre after the pair became romantically involved.
This morning she arrived at Kempsey Local Court for this first time since being charged with misconduct in public office and a separate charge of larceny,
Dressed in a black suit with black heels, Connors was accompanied by a supporter believed to be her mother, who put her arm around her and patted her back as she sat in court.
The misconduct charge relates to engaging in the intimate relationship with Penisini while he was under her authority as a correctional officer.
Court documents allege Connors “has kept a relationship” with Penisini “for a substantial period of time”.
The police bail documents say the mother of two “appears to want to continue that relationship”.
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Police allege that between 2 and 22 July 2018, Connors passed sensitive information to prisoners, engaged in an intimate relationship with Penisini, and failed to disclose a conflict of interest, relating to her duties at the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre in Kempsey.
“There is evidence which has been electronically obtained and also involves CCTV footage and recorded telephones whilst the accused was working in a correctional centre where the person involved is an inmate,” court documents said.
The unrelated larceny charge relates to allegations Connors stole a $120 titanium bracelet from Rosemaree Corby, who she doesn’t know.
This morning her lawyer Scott James entered a not guilty plea to the larceny charge.
Ms Corby told The Daily Telegraph she had rented out a PO Box while living in Port Macquarie before she moved interstate to Queensland and closed it down, putting mail redirection in place.
She said she ordered the bracelet for her partner online and it was sent to her old PO Box but there was an error at the post office and it wasn’t redirected.
Connors had taken over her old PO Box and police allege she then collected the parcel in June, despite it being addressed to Corby.
Ms Corby said after waiting for the post office to make inquiries, she arranged for a family member to put a letter into the PO Box pleading for the titanium bracelet to be returned. She warned police would be called.
“This Parcel was not for you as it was addressed to myself, the previous owner of the PO Box. There is a mail redirection in place for any mail that comes for myself,” the letter said.
“Unfortunately Port Macquarie Post Office made an error and did not redirect the Parcel.
“Could you please return the Parcel that contained the Bracelet back to the Post Office ASAP, or the Police will become involved as it is theft.”
Ms Corby said she took the matter to police not knowing who was involved after she didn’t hear anything back.
“I’m shocked about it all,” she said.
When we had the PO Box every time we got mail from the old owner we’d just return it, it’s just about being honest.”
Court documents allege that the prosecution case is “strong” for the larceny charge.
Connors refused to answer questions outside court following the brief mention for both matters.
During her alleged affair with Penisini, Connors underwent a dramatic image overhaul, including having a gastric band operation which saw her size go from 18 to 12.
While working as a prison guard, she was involved in welfare work with criminals which gave her one-on-one time with inmates.
Penisini has since been moved to Goulburn Supermax jail, home to Australia’s most hardened criminals, after allegedly assaulting a fellow prisoner.
He is serving a 36 year sentence for shooting and killing police officer Glenn McEnallay in 2002 and will be eligible for parole in 2029.
Connors, who remains on bail, will be excused when her matter is next mentioned in court in November.