A female prison officer accused of having sex with an inmate at Wandsworth prison in an X-rated film today appeared in court.

Linda De Sousa Abreu, 30, was charged after a video of the alleged activity was shared on social media. 

Appearing in the glass-fronted dock at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court wearing all grey, she spoke only to confirm her name, address and date of birth, before hiding her face and carrying a large suitcase as she left court.

The Metropolitan Police launched an urgent probe on Friday after officers were made aware of a video said to have been filmed inside HMP Wandsworth in south London between June 26 and 28.

Ms De Sousa Abreu was arrested at Heathrow Airport and was due to catch a flight to Madrid having notified the prison of her travel plans, the court heard.

Prosecuting Niamh McDonagh told the court: 'Ms De Sousa Abreu was apprehended at Heathrow Airport where a flight had been booked for Madrid. I believe she has relatives living there.

'A Portuguese passport was seized by police when she was apprehended. She is a Portuguese national with a Portuguese passport.'

Defending, Gayathri Yogarajah said Ms De Sousa Abreu had notified HMP Wandsworth, telling them of her travel plans which was duly passed on to Scotland Yard.

The 30-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear for a plea and case management hearing on July 29 at Isleworth Crown Court.

She must remain at the southwest London address given in court.  

Her Portuguese passport must remain with the police and she cannot make any attempt to retrieve it.

She is forbidden from applying or being in possession of international travel documents and she must hand over her Portuguese identity card that she could travel on.

Ms Da Sousa Abreu is also forbidden to enter any UK port and must be electronically monitored between the hours of 9am and 7pm.

A Prison Service spokesman said: 'Staff corruption is not tolerated and the former prison officer allegedly featured in this video has been reported to the police. 

'It would be inappropriate to comment further while they investigate.' 

HMP Wandsworth is a Category 'B' Victorian prison with a 1,371 capacity, which opened in 1851.