Ex-PC sentenced for unauthorised computer searches

Armaan Ahmed was given a suspended jail term for the offences

A former police officer who made unauthorised searches on force computers has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Armaan Ahmed, 25, was a constable serving with West Yorkshire Police in Calderdale when concerns about his behaviour were raised by a colleague.

He pleaded guilty to computer misuse and corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges at Leeds Crown Court in October.

Ahmed was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday to 16 months in prison suspended for 18 months, and was given a community order.

West Yorkshire Police said the offences took place between 1 May and 31 August 2021.

Ahmed resigned in June 2022 but remains subject to a misconduct investigation, with a view to him being banned from working in any further role in policing.

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: "It is made clear to every employee on joining West Yorkshire Police that information held on police systems should only be accessed for a legitimate policing purpose.

"This former officer has not only conducted unauthorised searches but has also shared information from these searches with others."

She added: "Members of the public should quite rightly expect that any sensitive or confidential information about them that is recorded on police computer systems is protected.

"We take any suggestion of the unauthorised access of data extremely seriously and I hope the public are reassured by the action taken in this case."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.