South Shields prison officer denies sexual activity with 12 female prisoners
A prison officer from South Tyneside has denied failing to perform his duty by engaging in sexual activity with 12 female prisoners.
David Whitfield, 34, is charged with abusing the public trust by inciting and engaging in sexual activity with them over a five-year period up to 2016.
The offences are alleged to have happened when he was working at HMP Low Newton in Durham.
The defendant, of Colman Avenue, South Shields, South Tyneside, also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a woman between 2014 and 2015.
Appearing at Durham Crown Court, Whitfield pleaded not guilty to misconduct in a public office and sexual assault.
Judge Christopher Prince bailed him to appear for trial at Newcastle Crown Court on July 22.