Probation officer Bethany Dent-Reynolds in court accused of romantic relationship with category A prisoner Kieran Robinson

A probation officer has appeared in court accused of having a romantic relationship with a serving prisoner. Bethany Dent-Reynolds is accused of engaging in an "inappropriate, romantic relationship" with Kieran Robinson, serving his sentence at category A men's prison, HMP Belmarsh, in Thamesmead, south-east London.

The 27-year-old appeared in court for the first time, attended Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (November 5) wearing a brown coat over a white shirt, with sunglasses on the top of her head.

The court was told the alleged relationship between probation officer Dent-Reynolds and prisoner Robinson took place between March and April last year.

Charges also accuse Dent-Reynolds, of Forest Hill in south-east London, of trying to access prison computer records to "secure unauthorised access to data". She is charged with two counts of wilfully neglecting to perform her duty as a public officer and attempting to access unauthorised information on a computer between February and May last year.

Dent-Reynolds spoke in court only to confirm her name, date of birth and address. Her case was sent to Woolwich Crown Court to be heard next month.

Sending her case to crown court, chair Alexander MacPherson told Dent-Reynolds: “We are not hearing this here in magistrates' court today. It’s beyond our powers. Your next hearing will be at Woolwich Crown Court on the third of December, for plea and trial preparation.

“Until then, you are on unconditional bail. If you don’t turn up to Woolwich Crown Court on the third, you may be committing an offence. Thank you very much, that completes your hearing this morning. You can go.”