A PRISON officer has denied failing to perform his duty by engaging in sexual activity with 12 female inmates.

David Whitfield, 34, is charged with abusing the public trust by inciting and engaging in sexual activity with the prisoners over a five-year period up to 2016 when he was working at HMP Low Newton, in Durham.

The defendant, of Colman Avenue in South Shields, South Tyneside, also faces a charge of sexually assaulting a woman between 2014 and 2015.

Appearing at Durham Crown Court, Whitfield pleaded not guilty to misconduct in a public office and sexual assault.

Judge Christopher Prince bailed him to appear for trial at Newcastle Crown Court on July 22.