UK3 min(s) read
Published 16:25 26 May 2026 GMT
A prison officer, who was filmed having sex with an inmate, has spoken out about the incident that landed her in prison, and has given her side of events.
The footage, which circulated online in 2024, showed Linton Weirich with married prison officer Linda De Sousa Abreu and triggered a major police investigation.
Weirich, who was an inmate at HMP Wandsworth, has also spoken publicly about what he claims is widespread corruption within UK prisons.
Now 38, Weirich, who says he has spent four separate periods behind bars since 2003, claimed the prison system has dramatically changed over the years, with discipline declining and corruption among staff becoming increasingly common.
“When I was first inside, the officers were ex-Army officers or security guards, and it was like a boot camp,” he told The Sun.
“But now they’ve got young girls and 19 and 20-year-old guys working as guards and trying to tell us what to do. There’s no discipline.”
He also alleged that some prison workers make extra money by smuggling items into jail.
“A lot of staff are corrupt and make more money from bringing stuff in than they earn in salaries,” he claimed.
Speaking about De Sousa Abreu specifically, Weirich alleged: “She used to bring in Nando’s and Chinese meals for inmates. We’d pay £150 ($200) for what was worth £30 ($40) or £40 ($55).
“I’d get money from bank transfers or cash which people would bring in.”
Reflecting on the viral scandal itself, Weirich admitted the fallout has had a devastating impact on his life despite the online attention.
“People called me a legend, but the effect it’s had is terrible,” he said.
“It caused so much damage to my partner, my family and myself. It’s the biggest regret of my life and it damaged everything.”
Following the release of the footage, Weirich was transferred from Wandsworth to HMP Swaleside, where he claims he was later violently attacked while holding his three-month-old baby during a prison visit.
He described the alleged assault as “part of the ripple effect of what happened”.
Meanwhile, De Sousa Abreu resigned from her role after the footage emerged publicly. She later admitted misconduct in a public office in July 2024 and was sentenced to 15 months in prison in January the following year.
She served five months at HMP Bronzefield before being released on licence with an electronic tag.
Weirich said he has no interest in revisiting the relationship.
“I’ve not thought about her,” he said. “I just want to get on with my life.”
When approached by The Sun at her home in West London, De Sousa Abreu denied allegations that she smuggled takeaway food into prison for inmates.
She did, however, acknowledge staffing issues at Wandsworth.
“It had been very understaffed and hard to manage,” she claimed.
“Everyone’s doing something. I regret everything I did. I’m incredibly embarrassed.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice responded to the allegations by defending the majority of prison workers.
“The overwhelming majority of our prison staff are dedicated, hardworking professionals,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re cracking down on those who aren’t through tougher vetting, a strengthened Counter-Corruption Unit and over £40million in physical security to clamp down on the contraband that fuels violence in jails.”
