Former Dyfed Powys Police officer to face charges in court

30 Sep 2020 04:10 PM

A former Dyfed Powys Police officer is due in court this week to face a number of computer misuse and data protection charges, following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

Michael Westbury, aged 55, has been charged with seven alleged offences under the Computer Misuse Act of accessing police computer systems without lawful purpose, and two alleged offences under the Data Protection Act of unauthorised disclosure of information.

The alleged offences relate to the period of April and May 2019 when Mr Westbury was a serving police constable. He has since resigned from the force.

Our investigation began in June 2019 after a complaint referral from the force. Following its conclusion we submitted a file to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charges. The CPS made the decision to charge Mr Westbury in May, at which time he was no longer serving with the force.

He is due to appear before Aberystwyth Magistrates Court today 1 October 2020.