Prison officer denies having inappropriate relationship with lifer ‘in the workshop’

A prison officer has denied having an inappropriate relationship with a convicted killer in the workshop at Belmarsh prison.

Michelle Molver, 30, allegedly crossed boundaries with inmate Kemai Mathurine, 23, while working at the maximum security jail in Woolwich.

Mathurine was 16 when he was locked up for life with a minimum of 18 years for his involvement in the gang murder of Joseph William Torres, 20, in March 2018.

Mr Torres was sitting in a van in Essex Close, Walthamstow, with his friend when he was shot dead.

Molver, of Chadwell Heath, Essex, appeared at Woolwich Crown Court wearing an all black outfit and Dr Marten boots.

She denied misconduct in a public office between 1 August and 5 September last year and must wait more than three years to stand trial due to the courts’ backlog.

According to the charge Molver had in an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with Mathurine ‘in the workshop’ while performing her role as Prison Employment Lead.

Nigel Leskin, defending, said: ‘She admits she had a relationship with the prisoner, but this extended only as far as letters sent between them and kissing.

‘She does not accept this amounts to misconduct in public office.’

Fixing a three day trial for 5 September 2029, Judge Elizabeth Baker told Molver: ‘You have pleaded not guilty to this, and as you heard the trial is not going to take place for some considerable time… If you change your mind at any point, just let your lawyers know.’

In her role, Molver was responsible for helping ex-cons find jobs on the outside.

Molver is listed as a former director of the now dissolved Road to Rehabilitation Ltd and as a current director of Grass Root Homes Ltd.

She was also involved with The Churchill Fellowship, which focuses on rehab projects to reduce reoffending among ex-prisoners.

In an online profile Molver states: ‘My role is to support prisoners into employment on release and ultimately to reduce their likelihood of reoffending.

‘The criminal justice system in the UK is at breaking point, with prison populations at an all-time high, and this has a ripple effect impacting services well beyond the justice sector.’

She also wrote that her fellowship project looked at ways to cut reoffending in UK prisons by studying practices used in countries including Norway and Switzerland.

Molver previously celebrated a first class honours degree in criminology from Leeds Beckett University.

HMP Belmarsh houses high-profile offenders, including national security risk prisoners.

Molver, defended by Nigel Leskin, was released on unconditional bail.