Former police officer admits sharing images of dead body

A former police officer who shared images of a dead body has pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in public office.

Lewis Wood, 42, of Bridgwater, Somerset, shared footage relating to a number of investigations he attended between December 2018 and August 2020.

He accessed Avon and Somerset Police computer systems at least seven times and shared images and videos with family and friends on WhatsApp.

He will be sentenced on 9 February.

Exeter Crown Court heard how Wood recorded the policing material on his personal phone and shared it while serving as a police constable.

His offences included sharing images of a dead man.

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.

"Wood's decision to wilfully share sensitive images and videos to friends and family violated the trust members of the public put in him and us.

"His actions not only fell significantly below the standards we expect of officers but were criminal."

Avon and Somerset Police said his employment with the force ended in 2021.

Judge David Evans ordered the completion of a psychiatric report and told Wood to expect a custodial sentence.

ACC Hall added: "There can be no doubt public confidence in policing has been eroded by his conduct, even though he has no active role in policing anymore.

"Once his actions came to light, a thorough investigation was carried out by our Counter Corruption Unit and we've worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout to build a strong case and to achieve these guilty pleas."

Wood is on unconditional bail awaiting sentencing.

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