Corey London with Caleb Valeri and melissa maree Goodwin
Melissa Goodwin: An inmate's phone call to his mother regarding an alleged prison guard girlfriend
An alleged tryst between a male inmate and a glamorous former prison officer has taken an unexpected turn as the woman fights to clear her name in court.
The phone call an enraged inmate made to his mother after learning his alleged prison guard girlfriend was dating an ex-prisoner was played in court.
Corey London's call from Long Bay prison in early 2020 was critical evidence for prosecutors as they sought to establish that former corrections officer Melissa Goodwin committed sex acts on him while he was incarcerated.
Ms Goodwin, a 26-year-old bodybuilder, pleaded guilty to having an intimate relationship with an inmate that posed a safety risk, but denies allegations that the jailhouse tryst included five rendezvous with oral sex.
She has described her relationship with London at Silverwater jail as a "pen pal" romance, despite the fact that the court was informed her personal number was saved on his mother's phone under the name "Corey GF."
On Wednesday, Burwood Local Court heard that London called his mother after learning of Ms Goodwin's investigation into her relationship with Caleb Valeri, a former jailbird who had been released on bail.
London referred to his alleged ex-girlfriend as a "little f—-ing slut" and referred to Valeri, a known Rebels motorcycle gang associate, as a "gronk" during the call.
"Did you catch the news?" he inquired.
"Is that your girlfriend?" his mother inquired.
“Ma she was f—-ing... some c—t got out and she was with him,” London continued. And she was successful. She is an f—-ing teeny-tiny dog.”
London pleaded with his mother to contact Ms Goodwin on his behalf over the grainy prison phone line.
The newsletter for Party Games Samantha Maiden, political editor at news.com.au, will provide you with your daily political briefing.
“Send her a message on my behalf... inform her what the f—k happened?... Suddenly, I learn about it on the news and in the f—-ing newspaper. Are you serious? Inform her that I will be leaving in six months. I'm on fire at this f—-ing dog.”
“At the end of the day, she's an f—-en screw,” London's mother told her son.
“I'm guessing she saw about ten of yas,” she explained.
This elicited an outburst from London: "What do you mean, I was the first?"
“The thing is, she was being serious, and because I hadn't called her in four weeks, she went and (hooked up with) this little Rebel, ya know what I'm saying?
And he was released on bail, and she went to pick him up.
Prosecutor Timothy George stated that the phone call established a relationship between London and Ms Goodwin that was "deeper... than a pen pal relationship."
The court heard excerpts from a letter Ms Goodwin wrote to London in January 2020: "I miss you heaps, counting down the days." If only you had arrived prior to Valentine's Day.”
London's phone call was played in court after he was charged with contempt of court for refusing to come out of his cells to testify at the hearing.
London was escorted to the courthouse from Parklea jail, but the court was informed that he would not leave the cells beneath the structure.
Magistrate Daniel Reiss directed London's attorney to visit him in the cells and inform him of the custodial penalties for refusing to answer the summons to testify.
Despite multiple legal consultations, London has refused to budge and now faces additional time behind bars.
“I reminded him of the custodial (penalties) for contempt, and he continues to refuse to appear,” his attorney stated.
“He simply refuses to speak and is unwilling to discuss any statement he has made thus far.”
Magistrate Reiss found London in contempt of court, noting that the threat of additional time on his sentence did not appear to bother the inmate.
“I believe this conduct constitutes contempt of court,” he stated.
Mr Reiss also referred the matter to the Supreme Court, where contempt penalties are limited.
Mr George later told the court that London admitted last month during a meeting that he would not take the stand out of fear for his safety.
The court was informed that he was hospitalized on May 19 due to a broken jaw.
“You have no idea what he's going to do to me,“ London reportedly told Mr George during the meeting.
The court was informed that London would not identify the individual to whom he was referring.
Mr George stated that London attempted to retract his allegation that Ms Goodwin engaged in oral sex with him inside a jail storage room but ultimately maintained his story.
“At first, he lied, claiming that everything about the sexual acts in the storeroom was false... out of concern for his safety,” Mr George said.
Mr Reiss inquired: "He was lying about lying out of concern for his safety." Is that the way you're putting it?"
Mr George stated that London was attempting to "concoct an excuse not to testify."
London remains imprisoned and will not be eligible for parole until August 2022.
In his absence, the prosecution sought to present London's police statement as evidence.
Ms Goodwin's barrister, Robert Webb, told the court that the entire police case was built around other evidence of London, whom he described as a "miserable character" and "all-around liar."
Mr Webb stated that the "maliciously motivated... nasty criminal" made the allegations against his client while he was "enraged that my client moved on."
Ms Goodwin's barrister stated that London "passionately despises and hates" her.
“The motivation is hatred, not love,' he stated. “He says he despises her.”
Mr Webb added that the statement included an inducement that London would not be charged with contraband offenses related to his client's alleged tobacco and chewing gum smuggling.
Ultimately, Magistrate Reiss ruled against the introduction of London's statement as evidence.
The magistrate stated that he was not convinced the allegations were made in circumstances that made it highly likely they were true and honest, stating that London may have made the allegations as a means of retaliation.
Ms Goodwin was accused of having oral sex with London five times in a storeroom while she was supposed to be supervising him behind bars.
Additionally, she is charged with kissing, touching, and flirting with the inmate, with whom she allegedly conversed via phone and prison intercom system.
Additionally, she disputes those assertions.
The suspended prison guard has entered a not guilty plea to unlawfully delivering items to an inmate in connection with allegations that she smuggled in White Ox tobacco, two lighters, and chewing gum for London.
Ms Goodwin wore a leopard print top and black pants that matched the color of her prominent neck tattoo.
On July 1, prosecutors will decide whether to pursue the sex allegations.