Infatuation or Illness ? A Prison Officer, a Rapist and the Dark Psychology of Hybristophilia

By Michael Thompson, Founder – Falsely Accused Network

The recent case of Cherri-Ann Austin-Saddington—a prison officer who had a months-long sexual relationship with a convicted rapist—has understandably caused public outrage. But behind the shock headlines lies a deeper, darker psychological issue that’s rarely talked about: hybristophilia, sometimes called "Bonnie and Clyde syndrome."

This isn’t just a story of poor judgment or blurred boundaries. It’s a disturbing example of a paraphilia—an abnormal sexual attraction—where someone becomes obsessed with individuals who commit serious crimes. In this case, Austin-Saddington didn’t just cross the line; she obliterated it. She had sex with a man convicted of rape and sexual activity with a child, smuggled a phone into prison for him, and even attempted to artificially inseminate herself using a syringe of his sperm.

Let that sink in.

She referred to him in text messages as her “husband-to-be” and “reason for living.” Even after being caught and suspended, she continued to send him explicit images, sneak visits under false names, and try to maintain the relationship. Meanwhile, he was serving a 13-year sentence for sexually devastating crimes. Yet in her eyes, he was a romantic partner.

This isn’t just a lapse in professionalism—it’s a full-blown psychological delusion. And the signs were there long before this particular relationship began. She’d previously been warned for inappropriate conduct with inmates, and her probationary period was extended due to concerns.

There’s a reason this matters beyond the headlines. It’s not just about one prison officer and one inmate. It speaks to a wider problem in the criminal justice system. Prison staff are under enormous pressure, and many enter the profession with personal vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, can be exploited. That includes emotional trauma, low self-worth, and unresolved psychological needs—some of which may make them susceptible to manipulation or obsession.

In this case, the court heard that Austin-Saddington had suffered a serious spinal injury since the events, leaving her in a wheelchair. Her defence argued that she’s “a different woman now.” But let’s be clear—this wasn’t a harmless flirtation. It was a betrayal of her oath, her colleagues, and the public trust. She helped empower and comfort a man whose victims will live with their trauma for life.

As someone who runs a support organisation for people falsely accused of abuse, I see cases from both sides. But I also see a justice system that often turns a blind eye to the psychological dynamics that lead to real corruption and breakdown of safeguarding—especially when women are the offenders.

So, what can be done?

We need stricter psychological screening of prison staff, better ongoing mental health support, and far more awareness of conditions like hybristophilia. When a prison officer sees a rapist not as a threat but as a soulmate, the system has already failed.

This case wasn’t just about infatuation. It was about obsession, manipulation, and a dangerous psychological disorder that cost a woman her career and risked public safety.

It shouldn’t have happened. And it shouldn’t be ignored.