KILBRIDE: NURSE WHO WROTE ‘SEXY’ LETTER DURING PRISON AFFAIR FACES BEING STRUCK OFF

A nurse who had a relationship with a prisoner and detailed their exploits in a ‘sexually explicit’ letter faces being thrown out of the profession today (Weds).

Carman Kilbride, 42, gave the man her mobile phone number and made plans to meet him at her local supermarket when he was released from Wealstun Prison in Wetherby, west Yorkshire.

Despite bosses uncovering their affair, the agency nurse picked him up in her car the day after he walked free from jail.

‘Prisoner A’, who was serving a sentence for burglary, openly boasted to fellow inmates that he and the nurse were ‘loved up’, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

Their affair was uncovered when another prisoner spoke out to staff, who found a letter from Kilbride during a search of her partner’s cell.

A series of charges against the nurse have been found proved at a misconduct hearing in central London.

The panel must now go on to decide whether Kilbride’s conduct amounts to misconduct. If found guilty she could be struck off the nursing register.

Joanna Dirmikis, for the NMC, said: ‘This is a particularly serious case as the registrant could have stopped what she was doing once the letter had been found.

‘But she carried on the relationship and this was a very serious error of judgement and breach of the code of conduct.

‘She compounded the issue by meeting up with the prisoner after his release.

‘There is evidence to suggest that he may have had a drug habit and it is clear from guidance on this subject that any patient can potentially be vulnerable because of the potential imbalance of power that exists.’

The panel heard that Prisoner A’s cell had been searched on July 3, 2009.

‘A handwritten letter was found, which was signed “C”,’ said Miss Dirmikis.

‘That letter contained sexually explicit language and the author of the letter suggested they and the recipient were having some kind of affair and they were carrying on sexual activity together.

‘The author describes that they were taking a massive risk, having enjoyed the experience, indicated they couldn’t risk getting caught again and suggested they would have to wait until after the prisoner was released.

‘There is also discussion about the sexual activity they intend to continue carrying on in future.’

An expert later found the handwriting in the note matched Kilbride’s and an address book containing her telephone number and details of a planned meeting were also found.

Kilbride was escorted from the prison by bosses on the same day the letter was uncovered and banned from working there, the panel was told.

She was interviewed on July 22, when she denied having written the letter and claimed the prisoner was ‘fixated on her’.

But days later, on August 1, she was found by police in a car with Prisoner A.

Giving evidence, Wealstun Prison governor Samantha Pariser told the panel another inmate had told staff about the pair’s affair.

‘He said that Patient A spoke openly to other prisoners on the unit that he was having an affair and intended to meet up with her after he was released,’ she said.

‘He said that they were “loved up”.’

Kilbride, who is not attending the hearing in central London, denied all the allegations against her.

The hearing continues.

mfl