A MARRIED prison officer has been arrested on suspicion of romping with a lag.

Mum Kelly Whittingham, 38, was nicked at the entrance to HMP Dovegate.

3 Married prison officer Kelly Whittingham has been arrested on suspicion of romping with a lag Credit: Simon Jones - The Sun

The guard was held on suspicion of sexual activity with a con at the Category B jail in Uttoxeter, Staffs.

She is alleged to have had an affair with 38-year-old Anthony Mcleod, who is inside for his part in a violent kidnapping.

Mcleod, known as “S”, was immediately put into segregation following Whittingham’s arrest last Thursday, a source revealed.

3 Whittingham was arrested at the entrance to HMP Dovegate Credit: Alamy

He has since been moved to another prison.

Whittingham, who also goes under the surname Cockayne, has been suspended from her job at the jail, which is run by private security firm Serco.

When asked about the allegations yesterday, Whittingham, of Cannock, Staffs, replied, “I’m not interested” and slammed the door.

3 Dovegate has been nickmaned Lovegate due to regular prisoner-staff relations Credit: Google

A source said: “Dovegate is known across the prison estate as Lovegate due to regular prisoner-staff relations, mostly unreported.”

HMP Dovegate director, John Hewitson, said last night: “We expect the highest standards of behaviour from prison officers and we will not tolerate inappropriate relationships.”

Staffordshire police said a woman was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and has been “released under investigation”.

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Mcleod, of Coventry, was jailed for life last year after admitting false imprisonment, blackmail, and grievous bodily harm.

He and his gang kidnapped a man at gunpoint before gagging, binding him and beating him with a metal bar.

When his family delayed paying a £20,000 ransom they cut off one of his fingers before throwing him out of a van.

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