A GLAMOROUS prison officer who had phone sex with a convicted gangster wore her own “skin-tight trousers” that left “little to the imagination” instead of the prison-issue uniform, a court has heard.
Ruth Shmylo, 26, is accused of having a five-month fling with drug dealer Harri Pullen, 25, while working at a Category B prison.
WNSRuth Shmylo (pictured) is accused of having a five-month fling with drug dealer Harri Pullen, 25, while working at prison[/caption]
WNSPullen (pictured)| and Shmylo’s alleged affair began after he passed a mobile number to her on a slip of paper[/caption]
WNSThe court heard complaints about her wearing “skin-tight trousers” to work[/caption]
Pullen and Shmylo’s alleged affair began after he passed a mobile number to her on a slip of paper and she phoned him on it for “teenage” style chats.
After she was sacked from her custody officer role at Parc Prison in Bridgend, Pullen was moved to HMP Manchester – also known as Strangeways – and added Shmylo to his calls list.
But calls between the pair of them were recorded by prison bosses and played in Cardiff Crown Court during Shmylo’s misconduct trial.
Shmylo, described as being “very pretty” – was sacked from her job at Parc Prison in Bridgend after failing her probation period there.
The court heard complaints about her which included “flirtatious” behaviour with inmates and wearing “skin-tight trousers” to work.
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said Head of Security Dan Hayman had asked Shmylo if it was not better to wear trousers that “were a little larger and not quite so fitting.”
Mr Hayman said: “The concern was Miss Shmylo was wearing trousers that she had purchased outside of the uniform supply process which were exceptionally fitted and not considered appropriate.”
Mr Cobbe asked: “What was the issue?”
Mr Hayman said: “Trousers that were skin-tight or near enough skin-tight.”
He added: “There is a large cohort of male prisoners and a young female officer or any officer wearing inappropriate clothing is something that we would challenge – especially trousers that are that fitted and leave very little to the imagination.”
“There were other trousers available but she was not happy with how they fell on her body – or how they looked.”
Today the court heard that in one call, Shmylo tells Pullen she wants to leave her home in south Wales and move to Australia – leaving him audibly upset and crying.
Pullen says: “We loved each other and I love you still to this day. I love you even more.
“I want to prove I can give you what you deserve.”
When Shmylo tells him that she has had enough of her life in Wales, Pullen says: “Your home is here. This is your home.”
He adds: “When I get out I want to take you for food.”
He goes on: “I want to at least take you for food. A night out with you. Take you to a hotel or whatever.”
As the call continues with Pullen begging, he tells her: “You should have known what you were doing when you took that number.”
WNSClaire Wilks, defending, said Shmylo (pictured) was a “very pretty 23-year-old” who was at obvious risk of being manipulated by Pullen[/caption]
WNSThe court heard Pullen (pictured) would contact Shmylo “daily”, and had also had phone sex with her and referred to her as his “Mrs”[/caption]
WNSThe court heard Shmylo was employed at Parc Prison between August 2020 and April 2021 but failed her probation period[/caption]
Shmylo says that at one point Pullen made threats to her about her cats and her family.
She says: “The thought of going away and living a different life appeals to me massively. I still speak to you despite your threats.”
Pullen said: “I beg you please don’t go.”
He added: “Let me get out and give me a month and if that’s what you still want then I will pack your bags for you and take you to the airport.”
Prosecutor Matthew Cobbe said she should have reported Pullen for having a secret phone behind bars, but instead chose to ring him.
He said that Pullen would contact Shmylo “daily”, and had also had phone sex with her and referred to her as his “Mrs”.
He contacted her on her birthday wishing her “happy birthday princess girl” and arranged for his mother to meet up with her.
Mr Cobbe told the court that after being arrested Shmylo admitted she had phone sex with Pullen.
Mr Cobbe said: “She conceded during the course of her interview that she had had phone sex with the inmate.
“She explained this was principally the inmate saying things to her, noting that ‘I was listening for the best part of it’.
“That means she was actively engaging in phone sex with the inmate – or some of it.”
The court heard Shmylo was employed at Parc Prison between August 2020 and April 2021 but failed her probation period and was “released”.
Claire Wilks, defending, said Shmylo was a “very pretty 23-year-old” who was at obvious risk of being manipulated by Pullen.
She said: “He was a convicted drug dealer, it was an intelligence led operation, he’s the member of an organised crime group. All those factors lead him to being a high risk and whilst he was in custody he was known to be a risk.”
Ms Wilks said Pullin had “illicit phones” in prison and “at one stage was thought to be in possession of an improvised gun”.
Shmylo, of Treforest, Pontypridd, denies misconduct in a public office.
Yesterday the court heard Shmylo was also accused by bosses over her behaviour towards other inmates.
Head of security Dan Hayman said Shmylo was quizzed by counter-corruption teams at the prison over her alleged relationships with an unnamed prisoner.
Shmylo was also quizzed on “professional boundaries between staff and prisoners, over-familiarity with prisoners, and flirtatious behaviour towards prisoners.”
Mr Hayman said Shmylo was seen on CCTV blowing a kiss to a prisoner and had explained she was “embarrassed” by it and said it was a “silly mistake.”
Mr Cobbe asked: “Would you encourage kiss-blowing?”
Mr Hayman answered: “Absolutely not and it would be considered extraordinary if I were to witness that.”
Mr Hayman said there were also other safety fears that led to Shmylo eventually being dismissed.
He said: “There were reports over conversations she was having with prisoners. She was observed to be secretive, whispering, intentionally trying to have conversations out of earshot.”
Mr Cobbe said there were also discussions of Shmylo’s relationship with another prisoner – who was moved to a different wing due to concerns over their closeness.
Mr Cobbe asked: “She acknowledged that the time she was spending with that prisoner is a risk?”
Mr Hayman said: “Yes.”
Mr Hayman also told the court Shmylo was quizzed over reports she had sought out a different prisoner on Facebook with a “second phone” he was feared to have had inside.
Mr Hayman said: “This was in relation to a different prisoner who we had reports of Miss Shmylo linking to. Miss Shmylo told us that the only connection was via social media because that person was a friend of a friend but she acknowledged that she had searched for him on Facebook.”
Later, Mr Cobbe asked Mr Hayman why Harri Pullen was moved to HMP Manchester.
Mr Hayman said: “We noticed a spiral in Mr Pullen’s behaviour following Miss Shmylo’s exit from the prison.
“When management and staff to Mr Pullen as to reasons for his behaviour he gave an account of his partner of five or so months being out on the weekend – as in out on the weekend socially – and out with other men.
“There was an inference that he believed the relationship was coming to an end and that was the spiral in his behaviour.
“He described his partner who I believed to be Miss Shmylo. He gave a description of her, indicated when her birthday was, her home area, and making it clear to staff who it was, knowing she had left the prison at that point.”
“He was not happy we had dismissed Miss Shmylo.”
The trial continues.
WNSShmylo was seen on CCTV blowing a kiss to a prisoner[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
