Ex-police inspector jailed for illegal computer access

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 15:38 · Archive

A former detective inspector has been jailed for eight months after illegally accessing police databases.

Emma Gardner, 47, of Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay, has been jailed for eight months at Caernarfon Crown Court for illegally accessing North Wales Police computer systems. Gardner held the rank of detective inspector at the force but resigned following her conviction in July and was barred from policing altogether in August.

Between January and September 2022, Gardner repeatedly accessed digital records linked to Simon Acton, a Rhyl bouncer, and passed information to him while both were based in Rhyl for work. She also used police databases to access information about three women: Stacey Roberts, Sarah Davies and Rhian Chalk. North Wales Police held 13 computer case files about the four people involved.

At one point, Gardner logged into the lead case file on Acton on four successive days while exchanging messages with him at work. She claimed the access was for policing purposes, but did not access the files for two months after Acton's arrest in May 2022 before resuming regular access. Messages between Gardner and Acton included 'I've not said I know you, as I can't be seen to be heavily involved' and 'I have my uses'.

Prosecutor Andrew Scott said Gardner's offending came to light following a police audit. He noted that she had offended while holding a 'significant position of trust and responsibility' as a detective inspector in the criminal investigation department.

How it is being reported

• Jailed ex-North Wales Police inspector told her friend: 'I have my uses'A former Rhyl-based police officer has been jailed after illegally accessing force computer systems about a male friend and three women.North Wales Chronicle · 16 Oct, 14:55
• Former police inspector from Colwyn Bay is jailed for computer misuseA former Rhyl-based police officer has been jailed after illegally accessing force computer systems about a male friend and three women.North Wales Pioneer · 16 Oct, 14:46

In this story: Emma Gardner · Simon Acton · North Wales Police · Caernarfon Crown Court · Colwyn Bay · Rhyl

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