A BARROW woman has pleaded guilty to engaging in a relationship with a prisoner.

Twenty-three-year-old Alisha Fallows committed the offence while serving as a prison officer at Lancaster Farms prison between November 3, 2020 and February 14, 2021.

Judge Philip Parry told Fallows that 'the possibility of a custodial sentence will be something that will be at the forefront of my mind' when she is sentenced next year.

Fallows, of Goldsmith Street, who has no previous convictions, appeared at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

Thirty-two-year-old Damien Baxendale appeared before the hearing by video link from prison.

He pleaded guilty to possession of a prohibited item - a mobile phone - at Lancaster Farms between October 1, 2020 and December 16, 2020.

The court heard this item had been used to facilitate Fallows's offence.

Judge Parry told Baxendale his offence would bring 'an inevitable custodial sentence'. Baxendale, he said, was already serving a 'lengthy term of imprisonment'.

"You have each pleaded guilty to the offences which you face today," said Judge Parry.

"I'm not in a position to pass sentence on either of you today."

The pair are due to be sentenced at crown court in Preston on February 11 of next year.

Judge Parry readmitted Fallows to unconditional bail with an obligation to attend court on the date specified in 2022.

The judge told Baxendale: "I will see you in person on February 11."

HMP Lancaster Farms is a men's prison of category C. It is located on the outskirts of Lancaster.