A prison officer, Heather Pinchbeck, has been accused of engaging in unauthorized phone conversations with a violent inmate serving a sentence for a brutal attack that resulted in a man losing a leg. Pinchbeck, aged 28, was responsible for supervising the prisoner but allegedly violated regulations by communicating secretly with him. The prisoner in question, Joseph Hardy, aged 31, was convicted in 2017 for causing severe bodily harm with intent after assaulting an unarmed man with a machete, resulting in the victim losing his leg and suffering a fractured skull.
The charges against Pinchbeck relate to her time at HMP Dovegate in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, where she allegedly misused her position by communicating with the prisoner using unauthorized means. The incidents are reported to have occurred between February and March two years ago. Pinchbeck left her position in the Prison Service during the investigation and is now employed as a business management executive.
During a recent appearance at Birmingham Crown Court, Pinchbeck did not enter a plea to the charges against her. Meanwhile, Hardy is also facing charges for engaging in unauthorized communications with a prison officer and possessing a phone in prison.
Pinchbeck’s current employer, MIH Group, commends her for her work ethic and expertise in business management. Her role involves various responsibilities, including ISO compliance, governance, office management, and client support. Before his imprisonment, Hardy was involved in a violent altercation where he used a machete to attack a man, resulting in serious injuries that required medical intervention.
The sentencing judge described the attack as brutal and cowardly, emphasizing the severity of the injuries inflicted on the victim. The victim suffered a severed leg and a fractured skull as a result of the assault.