Ex-Merseyside Police sergeant avoids jail after handing over police records to criminals
Daniel Hughes accessed police files to check up on his criminal associates
A former Merseyside Police sergeant has been given a suspended prison sentence after illegally accessing police records to check up on his criminal associates.
Daniel Hughes, from Liverpool, was convicted earlier this year of eight counts of unauthorised access to computer material and three counts of disclosing personal data.
The offences took place on various dates between 2016 and 2021.
What did he do
Manchester Crown Court heard that Hughes, who joined the force in 2006, had become "far too close" to people involved in serious criminality.
He socialised with them and went on holidays with them, the court was told.
Prosecutor Laura Barbour described his offending as "snooping", which led to "gossipy" messages with friends and associates.
There was no evidence he profited financially from the information he gathered.
What did the judge say
Sentencing Hughes to 12 months in prison, suspended for two years, Judge Alan Conrad KC said he was "in many ways" an "industrious" and "pro-active" officer.
But he told him: "There was, however, a different side to you which rendered you unsuitable to carrying out police duties."
The judge added: "Public confidence and trust in the police demands that police officers do not access material that is beyond their remit or disclose personal information."
He also said he had "detected a degree of arrogance" from Hughes during the trial.
Hughes was dismissed without notice last month following a misconduct hearing he did not attend.
He has been ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity, and must pay fines totalling £750.