HE was a convicted multiple rapist whose crimes were so bad they shocked a Hampshire judge, while she was a 72-year-old giving up her own time to work as a volunteer in prison.
But as pensioner Estelle Sandles carried out her role inside Winchester jail she was accused of starting an “inappropriate relationship” with a man locked up for a series of horrific attacks on women.
The man Ms Sandles was accused of getting too close to was 40-year-old Paul Kent who is currently serving 19 years for raping four women.
Two other victims were subjected sexual assault, blackmail and intimidation.
Following an investigation into the allegations against Ms Sandles prosecutors charged her with misconduct in a public office.
But as she was about to appear before a crown court to face the charge lawyers suddenly dropped the case.
They say there was a misunderstanding of Ms Sandles voluntary role inside the jail and that she should never have faced a criminal charge.
Prosecutors insist there was evidence of a relationship between the two but they could not prove it was to the benefit of the prisoner.
They added that as she was a volunteer worker Mrs Sandles did not need to adhere to the strict rules governing other official prison staff.
Mrs Sandles, from Droxford, declined to talk about the case.
But she told the Daily Echo she denied forming any relationship with former mechanic Kent.
She added that she was angry about the way she had been treated.
Ms Sandlles had been charged with misconduct in public office - which can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison - and appeared at Winchester Crown Court in January.
Estelle Sandles
The detailed charge said: “While acting as a public officer, namely a senior volunteer at Winchester Prison, committed misconduct in public office by forming an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.”
Her case was scheduled for a plea and case management hearing at Winchester last Thursday (March 19) but the case was not publicly listed and Mrs Sandles was told early in the week that it had been discontinued.
The Daily Echo asked the CPS to explain the reason for the charge and why it had been abruptly stopped.
In a statement, the CPS said: “Ms Sandles was charged with misconduct in a public office after it was alleged that she started a relationship with a defendant, whilst she was the Prison Visitors Coordinator at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) in Winchester.
“The CPS keeps cases under constant review and following a further review of this case decided that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction and therefore discontinued the proceedings.
How the Daily Echo's sister paper The Basingstoke Gazette reported on Kent's crimes in November 2013
“This decision was based on the fact that whilst Ms Sandles was a Prison Visitor Coordinator and could be considered a public servant, she did not hold 'a public office' in which she would have been discharging or fulfilling a responsibility of government.
“Furthermore she was also not subject to the disciplinary procedures which would apply to prison officers. In addition, the prosecution had to prove that Ms Sandles was guilty of wilful misconduct.
“ Although the evidence showed that there had been a relationship between her and the prisoner, we could not prove that she did anything to the advantage or benefit of the prisoner.
“Therefore in accordance with the Code of Crown Prosecutors we decided that there was no longer sufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction against Ms Sandles.”
A spokeswoman later added: “There is a distinction between 'official visitors' and other visitors. We received that information later. We made the decision (to drop the case) at that stage.
“We were initially told she was a prison visitor and prison visitors go under certain rules. In effect she was an unofficial prison visitor.”
The exact nature of the relationship was unclear.
Winchester Prison
Kent was jailed for 19 years at Winchester Crown Court after he was convicted of raping four women over eight years in Basingstoke.
Two other victims were subjected to crimes including sexual assault, blackmail and intimidation.
In total he was found guilty of 20 crimes, including sexual activity with a child, and acquitted of 10 others.
Kent, a mechanic who liked to customise cars, of Belle Vue Road, Old Basing, was known to police in Basingstoke before his sex crimes came to light, but only in relation to motoring offences.
In mitigation the court heard how he hoped to be moved to a prison on the Isle of Wight to take part in a sexual rehabilitation course.
Winchester Crown Court
In sentencing Judge Guy Boney QC said some of the sex acts were among the most depraved the court had ever heard. He said Kent had an “aura of armour-plated sexual arrogance”.
After the 2013 hearing, Det Con Louise Trigg, said: “Paul Kent is a dangerous man who spent many years manipulating, controlling, and abusing women in the Basingstoke area.
“His behaviour towards women and girls was vile and degrading and has had lasting effects on all of their lives.”
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice declined to discuss the case or individual prisoners.
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