A Suffolk prison worker who had an “inappropriate “relationship with a convicted murderer after falling in love with him has been jailed for 12 months.

Sian Cooper, 52, of Myrtle Road, Ipswich, was working at Warren Hill, near Woodbridge, as a tutor and sports therapist when she became close to Alan Dalby, who was serving a life sentence for strangling his 18-year-old girlfriend with a belt in 2002, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Sentencing Cooper, Judge Rupert Overbury said the contact between her and Dalby, 35, had taken place over nearly a year and was “plainly physical”.

He said the pair had exchanged gifts and Dalby had asked her to give him sexually explicit photographs on a memory card. The pair had even discussed marriage.

Judge Overbury accused her of betraying the high standards expected of those working for the prison service for “selfish and personal” reasons.

He said: “There are obvious boundaries to be kept between those employed in prisons and those who are serving prisoners. Those boundaries can’t be crossed because of the risk of blackmail, corruption and security breaches.

“Such behaviour is contrary to the running of a secure prison environment. You put yourself in an extremely vulnerable position which could easily have been exploited.

“The public must see those who are in a position of trust in public office receive condign punishment if that trust is abused.”

Cooper admitted misconduct in a public office by forming an inappropriate relationship with a prisoner between August 2014 and July 2015.

William Carter, prosecuting, said Dalby had been working as an orderly in the prison’s education department which brought him into contact with Cooper. He said during their relationship Dalby had asked for permission to buy a gold heart shaped necklace from Argos, claiming it was for his sister and he also had Cooper’s mobile and home telephone numbers added to his permitted contacts list after claiming they were for his sister and a friend. Mr Carter said there had been numerous calls between Cooper and Dalby.

Prison staff raised concerns about Cooper’s “over friendly and flirtatious” behaviour and there were further concerns after the couple were seen in a classroom with the door closed and also found in a stationery cupboard together.

Cooper was suspended in July 2015 and a gold necklace purchased by Dalby, of Blackheath, south-east London, was found at her home after her arrest.

A calendar was also found with the words “Alan proposed” marked on it and naked pictures of her were found in her phone, although she denied sending them to Dalby.

Andrew Shaw, for Cooper, said his client had no previous convictions and had lost everything as a result of the relationship, which is still ongoing. He described Cooper as “extremely vulnerable”.

In October 2009, Dalby, then 28, was embroiled in claims he had a relationship with a prison officer at HMP Swaleside in the Isle of Sheppey in Kent. A 42-year-old female prison officer resigned after she was said to have fallen for his charms.