Joel Choudhury, a former Lancashire Police officer from Lytham St Annes, has been sentenced to 16 months in jail and given a seven-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order after being found guilty of misconduct in public office and making indecent images of a child. Choudhury’s disturbing actions came to light when anti-corruption detectives stumbled upon shocking content on his phone during a separate investigation in May last year.
The Shocking Discovery
Upon inspecting Choudhury’s mobile device, authorities uncovered two naked images of a vulnerable 16-year-old girl that he had obtained from her phone. Additionally, five covertly taken photos of a female victim of crime were discovered, showing the woman’s chest area and taken inside her own living room by Choudhury.
Unacceptable Behavior
The disgraced officer also had two images of a mobile phone lock screen on his device, including a nude selfie of a woman. Further investigation revealed that Choudhury had captured these images from the phone of the woman’s ex-partner following his arrest. Choudhury’s actions were deemed completely reprehensible, leading to his suspension from duty and subsequent resignation earlier this year.
Condemnation and Accountability
Det Chief Inspector Pete Reil expressed his disgust at Choudhury’s behavior, emphasizing that such actions were intolerable within the police force. He highlighted the proactive nature of the investigation, which was initiated based on concerns raised by ACU officers during an unrelated case. Reil assured the public that misconduct would not be tolerated within Lancashire Constabulary and that appropriate action would always be taken in such cases.
Choudhury’s sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity and values of law enforcement. While the majority of police officers carry out their duties with respect and dedication, instances of misconduct must be swiftly addressed to maintain public trust and accountability in the justice system.
