A senior nurse at Maidstone Prison became besotted with an inmate serving a long sentence for a violent burglary and had a sexual relationship with him, a court heard.

Hester Wilson even visited Nichail Sixto when he was transferred to a prison out of the county.

But a judge said he was sparing the single mother a jail sentence because her son, aged seven, and 21-year-old pregnant daughter would be left to fend for themselves if she was locked up.

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC told the 43-year-old mother, of Randolph Gardens, Kennington: "You have escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth. You are a lucky woman."

She admitted misconduct in public office and was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years.

Wilson was also ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and will be subject to a four-month curfew from 8pm to 6am.

Maidstone Crown Court heard she was “technically” employed by Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust but held a supervisory position at the prison and ran clinics for inmates, as well as nursing duties.

In the summer of last year Wilson became close to Sixto, then 28, who was serving 11 years, imposed in February 2012, for an axe-wielding burglary.

“During the course of meetings they became closer and the relationship became physical,” said prosecutor Christopher May.

“It seems on two occasions there was direct sexual contact between them within the prison.”

They performed a sex act on each other, he said.

Wilson also gave Sixto her phone number and she knew he had a mobile phone in breach of regulations. She obtained a cheap pay-as-you-go phone and used it to stay in contact with him.

"You have escaped immediate custody by the skin of your teeth. You are a lucky woman" - Judge David Griffith-Jones QC, to Wilson

She went off sick and when she returned she found that he had been moved to HMP Huntercombe near Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire.

The relationship was discovered after she went to visit him. She was suspended and then arrested in February this year.

“She agreed she knew the relationship was inappropriate and wrong but didn’t seem to appreciate the potential security breach,” said Mr May.

“She denied it was to do with an attempt by him to stay in the country or manipulate or groom her. She expressed remorse for what she had done.”

Judge Griffith-Jones said the offence involved an abuse of trust which the public were entitled to have.

“You have expressed remorse, which I am prepared to accept is genuine, although it seems you have struggled to appreciate the true implications of your behaviour,” he told her.

“By reason of this conviction your world has been turned upside down. You have already sustained punishment by losing your employment and career as a nurse, neither of which can you have any complaint about.”

References spoke of her excellence as a nurse “which makes the commission of this offence all the more extraordinary”.

The judge said the seriousness of the offence had to be marked by a sentence of imprisonment, adding: “Nothing less will do.”

But he said: “I recognise that if immediately incarcerated today while you could have no complaint, it would impose considerable punishment on your children.

“It is primarily for the consideration of your children that I am prepared to take what may be regarded in other circumstances as a lenient course and give you another chance.”

Samantha Bonner, defending, said Wilson was naive and had the relationship when at a low point. She was in debt because of her previous partner.

“It occurred at a time when she was not herself,” said Miss Bonner. “She felt very vulnerable. She was shown affection by this prisoner.”

She was working two jobs and supporting her family single-handedly. She lost both of her jobs.

“She believes she is to be struck off the nursing register,” said Miss Bonner. If sentenced to immediate imprisonment she would go into custody leaving the children.

“She is in rented accommodation. Without her they won’t have anywhere to live. There is no one else to look after them.

“She tells me she has made a massive mistake. This is an extremely low point in her life. She asks for leniency.”

Miss Bonner said of the relationship: “I think there is insight now this might not be as genuine as she thought it was. There is some contact ongoing but whether it will result in anything is unclear.”