Former police officer jailed for sharing details of cases in 'running commentary' over WhatsApp
The former officer told friends and family to delete some of the material after he'd sent it
Last updated 19th Apr 2024
A former Avon & Somerset police officer has been jailed for 28 months after sharing details of cases with friends and family.
Former PC Lewis Wood, of Bridgwater, used WhatsApp to share confidential information from the police computer about cases including a rape investigation involving a child, a suspected murder inquiry, a missing person, a suspected domestic incident and a traffic accident.
Exeter Crown Court heard the officer, now 43, had warned friends and family they needed to delete some of the items being shared after viewing.
In one case Mr Wood shared information which included images of a deceased man.
He left the force in 2021 - after only joining in 2018 - in what the prosecution today told the court had 'damaged public trust' and 'confidence' in the overall Avon & Somerset force.
Wood, who had undergone data protection training, admitted three counts of misconduct in a public office in December.
In a person victim impact statement, one person told the court about his experience of finding out how his arrest had been shared saying it 'eroded what little trust I had in police'.
The victim was released without charge later the same day and told the court the sharing incident had left a lasting impact.
The court heard a family member of Mr Wood had urged him to stop sending such messages in the WhatsApp chat, but he replied there was no issue as the messages were 'scrambled'.
The court also heard transcripts of conversations about specific cases Mr Wood had attended which 'caused considerable distress' to the families involved.
Another victim told the court he'd 'inflicted more pain' when the family were 'at our most vulnerable' adding: "This has affected my whole family more than you can ever comprehend."
They outlined the 'stress and anxiety', which they called 'emotionally damaging' and how they feel he 'will never understand' the full impact of his actions. The victim impact statement also revealed the family will always 'hold in fear' that pictures may have travelled further on the internet.
The court heard Mr Woods had searched for how best to remove the shared items - to prevent a forensic investigation - before being arrested.
In mitigation the court was told 'he wasn't coping well with his job as a front-line police officer' and his actions were done 'in part as a method of managing his work' and he was 'ashamed' of his actions.
The judge James Adkin pointed out he had tried to keep his actions secret.
Wood, who will only serve half of the remaining 28 months sentence in jail before being released on licence, was told by the judge he'd given a 'running commentary' on the cases. The judge cited one example where he'd 'appear to criticise a women who reported domestic abuse', saying his actions were 'extremely serious' and had the 'potential to have a corrosive effect on the public's trust in police.'
Speaking last year, Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “This has been a hugely distressing case for the victims and I am sorry for what they have been put through.
ACC Hall today said: “Lewis Wood’s horrific actions will rightly shock and disgust members of the public who place their trust with the police, as well as his former colleagues.
“It has meant the devastated family of Paul Wells have had to endure further pain.
“We are truly sorry for what has happened. We appreciate no words we can offer can make up for the distress this will have unquestionably caused them.
“From the moment these offences were discovered we have taken them extremely seriously and have sought to bring Wood to account believing his actions were not just misconduct, but indeed criminal and warranted the most robust action possible.
“There is absolutely no place for such criminal misconduct in policing, and we are determined to relentless root out anyone who wilfully disregards that.
“Failure to tackle poor conduct or drive positive cultural change would be to let down the public, plus the overwhelming majority of people serving in Avon and Somerset who are dedicated professionals who work every day to make their communities safer.”
Alyson Harris, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS South West, said: “All police officers must act in a manner that is trustworthy, responsible and upstanding. Wood fell woefully short of these expectations.
“The sharing of classified information in itself is a crime, but the fact this material included images of a victim added to the seriousness of his misconduct and has been immensely distressing for the family. Our thoughts must remain with them at this time.
“After collaborative work from the CPS and Avon and Somerset Police, Wood was left with no option but to plead guilty and now faces the consequences of his actions.”