**Ex-Prison Officer Faces Charges Over Secret Calls and Texts With Inmate Involved in Machete Attack**

**Ex-Prison Officer Faces Charges Over Secret Calls and Texts With Inmate Involved in Machete Attack**

In a shocking development that highlights serious lapses in prison security and oversight, Heather Pinchbeck, a 28-year-old former prison officer, has been charged with illicit communication with an inmate she met while working at HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire. The allegations involve her allegedly exchanging phone calls, texts, and nude images with Joseph Hardy, a prisoner serving a 14-year sentence for a brutal machete attack.

The charges against Pinchbeck accuse her of willfully abusing her position of trust by using illegal communication devices to contact Hardy, who was involved in a violent incident that resulted in a man losing his leg. Hardy, 31, was convicted of using a machete in an argument that turned deadly, inflicting severe injuries including a fractured skull, with his victim’s leg being severed entirely.

The alleged misconduct took place between February and March 2023, during which Pinchbeck is accused of engaging in illicit communication with Hardy, violating prison regulations and public trust. The court proceedings reveal that Hardy has already pleaded guilty to assault and is now facing further charges related to the illicit communications.

Pinchbeck, who now works as a business management executive, has emphasized her background in the Prison Service, claiming her experience provided her with valuable administrative expertise. She is employed by MIH Group, a reputable company, and has previously been recognized for her qualifications in business administration.

The case raises concerns about the security protocols within prisons and the potential for staff to abuse their authority. It also underscores the risks posed when communication channels meant to be strictly controlled are exploited. Authorities are still determining whether Pinchbeck was dismissed or resigned from her prison role amid the ongoing investigation.

As legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding integrity within correctional facilities and the potential consequences when breaches occur at the highest levels of trust.

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