Three former HMP Nottingham prison officers have been found guilty of misconduct in a public office – with one also convicted of common assault on a prisoner.
Dean Kirk, 31, Daniel Botterell, 30, and Joseph Wilson, 32, were convicted by a jury today (Wednesday 30 September 2020) following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
Kirk, from Derbyshire, assaulted the prisoner in his cell on 14 April 2016.
All three men were found to have perverted a prison investigation.
Botterell, from Lincolnshire, and Wilson, from Nottinghamshire, were found not guilty of assault.
Following a police investigation Wilson was arrested in September 2016 on suspicion of other offences.
He was then further interviewed, in December 2016 and April 2017, after a WhatsApp group was discovered on his mobile in December 2016 which included chats relating to the assault.
He was suspended from his duties on 28 September 2016 and was subsequently dismissed in December 2017.
Kirk and Botterell were interviewed under caution at police stations before Kirk resigned in November 2017, prior to his discipline hearing, and Botterell was dismissed in December 2017. Kirk, Botterell and Wilson were released on bail and are next due to appear for sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on 30 October 2020.
Detective Inspector Jim Heggs said: “Everyone has the right to be safe in prison – both prisoners and staff alike.
“Kirk, Botterell and Wilson abused their positions as prison officers, effectively betraying the trust of the public and their fellow officers in the process.
“We will not tolerate any offences within our prisons and will take swift action against those who undermine the good work of their colleagues.”