Temporary Sergeant Daniel Hughes, 40, the face of courage on duty, was unmasked as a double agent with ties to the dark underbelly of Merseyside's crime scene. Despite his heroic reputation—sustaining injuries from vicious attacks while serving—the two-decade vet was convicted of unauthorised computer access and data disclosure.
Hughes kept company with some serious roadmen, enjoying holidays and race days alongside them. The feds found he ran repeated searches on figures like Steven Noone, involved in a major fraud op, and Phillip Lam, the EncroChat kingpin 'WearyDog'. He even chatted up details of ongoing cases in WhatsApp groups, sharing snippets with his criminal mates.
Judge Alan Conrad KC laid down the law: "You became far too close to these people. Your snooping undermines public confidence in the police and their systems." Hughes copped a 12-month suspended sentence, 250 hours of unpaid work, and a £750 fine.
Olivia Travis from the CPS added: "Hughes abused his position to access sensitive info and maintained ties with offenders involved in drugs and firearms. His actions showed a complete disregard for the trust placed in him."