A Corruption of Power

A former HMCTS admin officer has been jailed for sharing confidential court records with local crooks.

Alexandra Power, 40, of Brentwood Avenue, Crosby, Merseyside, previously admitted offences of perverting the course of justice and unauthorised access to computer material.

She was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 23rd January 2026.

Perverting the course of justice is an offence at common law. It is triable on indictment and has a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Power had been working in the office at South Sefton Magistrates' Court when she accessed confidential computer records, the details of which were later discovered on the mobile phone of a suspected drug trafficker.

An audit of the computer system revealed that Power had accessed the records in question, which included those relating to search warrants, ninety eight times over the space of two working days.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul McVeigh said: "It was clear when Power was arrested and her phone seized that she had been sharing information about the workings of the court and sending information which was not in the public domain.

"Having accessed sensitive information regarding applications for warrants to search addresses associated to serious organised criminality she then went on to share that information to those who were to be subjected to the warrants.

"Her actions had a direct impact on criminal investigations and were clearly a massive breach of the position of trust she held.

"The public expects for people working in Power's position to uphold the law and it is right that she is now behind bars as a result of her actions.

"We worked closely with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) to identify Power at the earliest opportunity and a full review has taken place to ensure this does not happen again."

HHJ Nicholas Dean KC, The Honorary Recorder of Manchester, sentenced Power to two years' imprisonment.

Powys Farmer Convicted of Illegally Docking Lamb Tails

A Powys farmer has been convicted of illegally docking the tails of lambs.

Guy Hodnett, 64, of Brook House, Knighton, admitted two offences of causing unnecessary to a protected animal when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 20th January 2026.

Causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal is an offence under section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The maximum sentence is 5 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

Docking is routinely carried out in order to improve the general hygiene of sheep and prevent them from getting fly strike.

Magistrates heard that Hodnett purchased a group of more than 80 lambs over the age of 6 months old and docked their tails by applying rubber bands. He did this without using any anaesthetic or painkillers.

This unmedicated method of docking is permitted by The Mutilations (Permitted Procedures)(Wales) Regulations 2007, but only on newly born lambs less than seven days old.

Rubber rings may not be applied to any sheep over seven days old. Any sheep over three months of age may only be tail docked by a veterinary surgeon using appropriate pain relief and anaesthesia.

According to evidence by the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Hodnett's actions demonstrated a lack of basic knowledge, competence and stockmanship in relation to sheep.

His crude methods also significantly delayed the healing process, thereby increasing the pain and suffering of the animals concerned.

Magistrates heard that the defendant was previously of good character.

Hodnett was fined £403 and ordered to pay £161 surcharge and £2,000 towards prosecution costs.

Cllr Richard Church of Powys County Council, which brought the prosecution, said: "Animal welfare is a fundamental responsibility for anyone who keeps livestock, and the circumstances of this case are simply unacceptable. The level of suffering caused to these sheep was entirely avoidable, and the actions taken showed a clear disregard for both the law and the wellbeing of the animals involved.

"Our officers work hard to support farmers in meeting their obligations, but where those standards are ignored, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action. This prosecution sends a clear message that Powys County Council will act to protect animal welfare and uphold the standards that the vast majority of our farming community meet every day."

Fake Driving School: Phoney Instructor Ordered to Repay Students

A phoney driving instructor has been ordered to repay students she taught despite being unqualified.

Joanne Sharples, 40, of Lord's Street, Cadishead, Greater Manchester, admitted six offences of fraud by false representation when she appeared at Warrington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 22nd October 2025.

She was sentenced by the same court on Wednesday, 14th January 2026.

Fraud by false representation is an offence under section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006. It has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction; 10 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment. You can read more about fraud by false representation in my earlier guide to the offence.

Separately, it is an offence under section 123 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 for any person who is not on the register of approved driving instructors to charge for driving lessons.

Magistrates heard that Sharples had undergone training to become an Approved Driving Instructor, but had failed the exams.

Despite being unqualified, she offered and provided lessons to paying students in the Cadishead, Eccles and Warrington areas.

Andrew Stewardson, prosecuting on behalf of the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, told the court that six complainants had fallen foul of Sharples' deception.

The frauds took place between February and November 2024, with the learners paying a total of £6,424 for their lessons with Sharples.

Bridgette Hibbert, mitigating, said: "This lady made full admissions. She is a lady of previous good character.

"She has suffered greatly in relation to this case. She has lost this employment and she has three children at home."

Ms Hibbert drew the court's attention to her client's remorse at the situation and desire to make amends.

Magistrates were of the view that the offences were serious enough to justify a community order.

Sharples was made subject to a 12-month order with 120 hours' unpaid work.

She was also ordered to pay £6,424 in compensation.

Off-Duty City of London Police Officer Drunkenly Assaulted Child in Street

An off-duty City of London Police officer drunkenly assaulted a child in the street.

Manpreet Callo, 30, of Waltham Abbey, Essex, admitted an offence of assault by beating when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 3rd December 2025.

He was sentenced by the same court on Thursday, 15th January 2026.

Assault by beating, an offence contrary to section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, has a maximum sentence of 26 weeks' custody on summary conviction.

Callo approached and assaulted the 12-year-old boy at Hillhouse, Waltham Abbey, on the morning of Friday, 24th October 2025. He has been suspended from duty since then.

The circumstances of the offence, as accepted by virtue of Callo's admission, are that the 30-year-old grabbed and pulled the coat of the boy. The incident, which was no doubt terrifying for the boy concerned, might not sound that serious - however, it was clearly serious enough for concerned onlookers to call the police.

Speaking of Callo's conviction, Chief Superintendent Sanjay Anderson, Head of Professional Conduct at the City of London Police, said: "Callo was off duty and intoxicated when he assaulted a child in a public place.

"The incident was witnessed by members of the public who expressed concerns about Callo's behaviour and rightly called the police.

"His conviction will undoubtedly have affected trust and confidence in policing; the City of London Police will continue with misconduct proceedings as quickly as possible."

According to reports, Callo was fined £800 - which could mean anything, as there is no mention of surcharge, costs or compensation.