This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-65301436
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police officer faces prosecution over death scenes images | Police officer faces prosecution over death scenes images |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| A serving and former police officer are to be prosecuted for offences including alleged sharing of imagery taken at the scenes of sudden deaths. | |
| Court summons are being prepared and the two officers are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks. | |
| The move by the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) follows evidence submitted in an investigation file by the Police Ombudsman. | |
| The PPS said the investigation was complex and substantial. | |
| They are to be prosecuted for alleged misconduct in public office. | They are to be prosecuted for alleged misconduct in public office. |
| The range of offences include the alleged sharing of imagery taken at the scenes of sudden deaths. | |
| The story came to light last year after a BBC Spotlight investigation revealed the officers were being investigated for allegations they manipulated a person who died by suicide's body and shared photos and a video online. | |
| A few weeks later a second family, the Lennons, told BBC Newsline that a police officer was being investigated after allegedly trying to share images of their dead brother. | |
| Jim Lennon was 46-years-old when he took his own life in 2012. | |
| It is understood it is the same officer who has since been sacked from the Police Service of Northern Ireland. | |
| The other police officer in this investigation is currently suspended. | |
| In a separate but connected case, a man appeared in court last month charged with three counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network and the alleged sharing of imagery captured at the scenes of sudden deaths. | |
| The PPS said it followed a decision to "prosecute one individual for three counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network contrary to the Communications Act 2003 following the submission of a separate file by the PSNI". | The PPS said it followed a decision to "prosecute one individual for three counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network contrary to the Communications Act 2003 following the submission of a separate file by the PSNI". |
| It added that this person was "being prosecuted in connection with the alleged sharing of imagery captured at the scenes of sudden deaths". | It added that this person was "being prosecuted in connection with the alleged sharing of imagery captured at the scenes of sudden deaths". |
| That case is due in court again next month. | |
| "Four families connected to one or both investigations after the death of a loved one in sudden circumstances have been informed of the outcome of their respective files by the PPS," a spokesperson added. | "Four families connected to one or both investigations after the death of a loved one in sudden circumstances have been informed of the outcome of their respective files by the PPS," a spokesperson added. |
| PPS assistant director Martin Hardy said the PPS "would continue to engage with the families involved as the two separate prosecutions progress". | PPS assistant director Martin Hardy said the PPS "would continue to engage with the families involved as the two separate prosecutions progress". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Police Service of Northern Ireland | Police Service of Northern Ireland |