In a recent development, Lewis Wood, a former police officer, has pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in a public office. The 42-year-old admitted to sharing images and videos with family and friends that were related to a number of incidents and investigations he attended between December 2018 and August 2020. Shockingly, his offences even included sharing images of a deceased man.

Wood’s employment with Avon and Somerset Police came to an end in 2021, following the discovery of his misconduct. Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall expressed her deep regret for the distress caused to the victims in this case. She stated, “Lewis 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.”

The Assistant Chief Constable acknowledged that Wood’s actions have undermined public confidence in policing, despite him no longer having an active role in law enforcement. She highlighted the thorough investigation conducted by the Counter Corruption Unit, in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service, which led to the strong case and subsequent guilty pleas at Exeter Crown Court on Friday, December 1.

Wood, hailing from Bridgwater, will face sentencing at the same court on Friday, February 9.