A PRISON officer at a Suffolk jail for young offenders has been charged by police with several sexual offences following allegations made by an 18-year-old inmate.
Anthony Bond
A PRISON officer at a Suffolk jail for young offenders has been charged by police with several sexual offences following allegations made by an 18-year-old inmate.
William Payne, 54, of Pepper Place, Kesgrave, will appear at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court in Ipswich next Wednesday.
He has been charged with abusing a position of trust - sexual touching, sexual assault and two counts of sexual touching.
It follows allegations made by an 18-year-old male inmate at Warren Hill prison, in Hollesley, near Woodbridge.
The young offender claimed to have been sexually assaulted on several occasions between August last year and March.
Payne was arrested by police following the allegations and was suspended by the Prison Service while investigations were underway.
After answering bail at Ipswich Police Station yesterday, he was charged by police.
A Suffolk police spokeswoman said: “A 54-year-old man has been charged with several sexual offences after police received allegations from an 18-year-old man earlier this year. William Payne of Pepper Place in Kesgrave has been charged with abusing a position of trust - sexual touching, sexual assault and two counts of sexual touching. He is due to appear at Ipswich Magistrates' Court next Wednesday, August 26.”
Following the inmate's claims, the Youth Justice Board said it was liaising with Warren Hill about the allegations.
Earlier this month, the Prison Officers' Association called for an investigation into the prison following claims made about its safety.
The union said it was “extremely concerned” following allegations made by a current prison officer as well as two former employees. The claims made to the EADT included that prisoners were treated to a “holiday camp” lifestyle, staff morale was rock bottom and discipline was lax with staff fearing for their safety. The concerns were based around shortfalls in staff.
Warren Hill has a capacity of 222 and houses some of the country's most dangerous young offenders.
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