A corrupt Greater Manchester Police officer who passed sensitive police intelligence to two criminal associates—both of whom she had romantic relationships with—has been jailed for three years and nine months.
Choni Kenny, 27, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where she admitted four counts of misconduct in public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office. The sentencing followed a two-day hearing that exposed how the officer, infatuated with at least one of the men, jeopardised investigations and betrayed the public’s trust.
The court heard Kenny joined GMP in 2020 but began leaking information to Josh Whelan, 31, a known “committed criminal”, and Rahim Mottley, 28, a former schoolmate. Both men were later sentenced for related offences.
Romantic Links to Crime
Kenny maintained what the court described as “casual” sexual relationships with both men, including while Whelan was behind bars. She used her position as a serving officer to access confidential data, including victim statements and intelligence regarding planned police raids.
Prosecutors revealed Kenny visited Whelan on the day of his release from prison in November 2022. She later accessed records on recently released prisoners and used police systems to search for information connected to Mottley following his arrest. She informed him of an upcoming firearms operation and promised to identify police informants, despite having recently attended a course on managing informants.
Judge Neil Flewitt KC condemned Kenny’s conduct, saying:
“You must have known that what you were doing was wrong. You let down not only Greater Manchester Police and the community it serves but also yourself, your family, and your friends.”
He added that Kenny’s actions were driven not by financial gain but by “naivety, immaturity” and a desire to please the men who “exploited” her trust.
Serious Security Breaches
The case underscored serious breaches of public trust. Whelan was found in possession of 20 mobile phones while incarcerated—phones allegedly funded by Kenny. Judge Flewitt called this an “aggravating factor”, especially given that Kenny knew of Whelan’s ongoing involvement in drug dealing.
Whelan was jailed for two years and eight months after admitting multiple offences, including racially aggravated assault and possessing prohibited items in prison. Mottley, who had fled to Spain but was extradited back to the UK, received a two-year and four-month sentence.
Police Reaction
A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said:
“This case represents a betrayal of the values we stand for. The overwhelming majority of our officers serve with integrity and dedication. We have zero tolerance for corruption.”
An internal misconduct hearing is expected to follow, with Kenny facing formal dismissal from the force.
Public Trust Undermined
The case has sparked national concern about the abuse of police systems and the importance of internal safeguards. Data from the College of Policing shows fewer than 0.2% of officers are convicted of serious corruption charges, but the impact on public confidence can be lasting.
As the dust settles, GMP faces pressure to assure the public that internal security systems are robust enough to prevent future breaches—especially those driven by personal relationships.
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