The 10 Northumbria police officers dismissed from office and why

An inquiry has been launched into 'systematic failures' that allowed Wayne Couzens to continue to be a police officer.

The former Sellafield PC who worked in neighbouring Cumbria used his knowledge of the police force to stalk and murder Sarah Everard.

The horrific nature of the case has seen charities call for action to make the streets safer for women.

Following the probe into the failings that enabled Couzens to continue as an officer unchallenged we have investigated the number of officers dismissed from office.

Jon Snaith was dismissed from Northumbria Police in September 2018 for committing an offence contrary to section 5A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, namely driving a motor vehicle with a concentration of specified controlled drug (cocaine and benzoylecgonine) above a specified limit whilst off duty in April that year.

Anthony Woods was dismissed in October 2018.

On April 1 2017, DC Woods, whilst off duty, attempted to undermine the authority of a fellow police officer by challenging the officer's authority, refusing to identify himself as a police officer and requesting his friend to record his interactions with the officer by using a mobile telephone. By acting in this manner, DC Woods failed to treat the officer with respect and courtesy.

Also on April 1 2017, at UK Coal site and whilst off duty, officer Woods was involved in off-road motor-biking - an activity that the officer knew was the source of antisocial behaviour complaints made by local residents. By knowingly acting in a way that contributed to, or encouraged antisocial behaviour at the UK Coal site, the officer behaved in a manner which brought discredit to Northumbria Police and undermined the public's confidence in the police service.

Between 2011 and 2017, DC Woods, whilst on duty, deliberately accessed police held information on 30 occasions for non-policing purposes.

DC Woods, on Monday, May 22 2017, absented himself from his place of work, for at least two hours, without permission; on Tuesday, May 23 2017, he failed to attend his place of work without permission; and on Thursday, May 25 2017, he again failed to attend his place of work without permission.

Jonathan Layzell was dismissed in February 2019 after it was alleged that on March 30 2017, (FWIN 1062) PC 993 Jonathan Layzell repeatedly contacted Female 1 by telephone. During the calls, PC 993 Jonathan Layzell was abusive and caused significant distress and harassment.

It is also alleged that in February 2017, PC 993 Jonathan Layzell engaged with a vulnerable domestic violence victim (ref Female 2) in order to instigate and engage in a sexual relationship.

Christopher English was dismissed in September 2019.

On October 25 2016, PC English recorded a victim's allegation as a common assault, not a sexual assault, despite being in possession of material that clearly defined the offence as an alleged sexual assault.

On November 4 2016, PC English, failed to proportionately investigate an allegation of sexual assault. During his police interview of the suspect, he failed to ask questions about the nature of the sexual assault allegation. By acting in this manner, he failed to carry out his duties and obligations diligently.

On November 5 2016, PC English failed to fully explain to a sexual assault victim, the disposal of a simple caution and failed to take the victim's thoughts into consideration prior to disposing of the case by means of a simple caution.

* The finding was one of misconduct only. The officer had a live final written warning, and was therefore dismissed.

Katie Barratt was dismissed in December 2019 after it was alleged on Thursday, December 14 2017 in Newcastle city centre, whilst off duty and intoxicated, she made racially offensive comments about members of the public, namely staff working at a takeaway.

It was also alleged that on Thursday, December 14 2017 in Newcastle city centre, whilst off duty and intoxicated, Katie Barratt made racially offensive comments about members of the public, namely staff working at a takeaway on a least five occasions.

Claire Wallace (Baston) was dismissed in December 2019.

On August 7 2017, PC Wallace was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty and her partner on suspicion of assault.

This followed an off-duty incident during which PC Wallace's partner repeatedly poured water over a nine-year-old child.

PC Wallace and her partner were each charged with two counts of child cruelty. The matter was heard at Newcastle Crown Court in March 2019.

PC Wallace's partner pleaded guilty to common assault and was fined. PC Wallace was acquitted.

The appropriate authority decided that PC Wallace had a case to answer for gross misconduct. It was found that PC Wallace had committed two acts of gross misconduct in that: PC Wallace was present during the assault by her partner and actively participated in it by shouting at the child.

A second allegation was also upheld but it is not appropriate to disclose it as it may serve to identify the child. There is a court order in place protecting the identity of the child.

Stephen Purnell was dismissed in June 2020. It is alleged that between July 1 2012 and September 7 2013, the officer intentionally exposed his genitals, intending that a member of the public, who was at the time under the age of 18, would see them, contrary to section 66 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Grant Parker was dismissed in September 2020 after it was alleged on a night out with work colleagues, PC Parker subjected a female colleague to unwanted touching on a number of separate occasions by touching the area around her legs and bottom with his hand.

PC Parker met socially with Ms X at Starbucks for a period of around two hours whilst wearing his police uniform. The meeting was in public such that members of the public could easily identify from his uniform that he was a police officer.

PC Parker disclosed to Ms X sensitive policing information, derived from his police phablet device, without a legitimate policing purpose or authority.

Steven Appleton was dismissed in March 2020 after it was proven that: between March 21 2013 and April 20 2016, Insp Appleton: a) Accessed information through the Northumbria Police Integrated Computer and Communications System ("NPICCS") relating to Mr X on at least five occasions; b) Accessed information through the Northumbria Police Integrated Computer and Communications System ("NPICCS") relating to Mr X's associates and/or premises connected to them; c) The above searches were without a legitimate policing purpose and/or in breach of Northumbria Police's data protection and inappropriate association policies and procedures and/or contrary to a former detective superintendent's IA determination.

On June 6 2015, Mr Y, an associate of Mr X, was wanted by police on suspicion of assault. On that day: a) Insp Appleton used the NPICCS to access information relating to Mr Y and premises to which he was connected. The officer was not an investigating officer in his case. The searches were without a legitimate policing purpose and/or in breach of Northumbria Police's data protection and inappropriate association policies and procedures; b) He spoke to Mr X by telephone on a number of occasions that day and also to Mr Y directly; and c) He passed on confidential policing information to Mr Y either directly or indirectly.

Between September 1 2014 and June 14 2016, Insp Appleton continued to associate with Mr X. In particular, he: a) made 495 calls or texts to Mr X's mobile phone; b) met with Mr X on at least six occasions; and c) failed to report the same pursuant to the inappropriate association procedure or at all.

On November 6 2015, Inspector Appleton used the NPICCS to access information relating to an individual, who was connected to his family at the time. That search was made without a legitimate policing purpose and/or was in breach of Northumbria Police's data protection policy and procedure.

Had former inspector Appleton still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed due to having a case to answer for the above breaches.

Stephen Light was dismissed in September 2018.

The sergeant, whilst off duty, broke the windows of a residential property occupied by a member of the public and then assaulted that member of the public. The alleged assault caused a laceration to the back of persons head, requiring stitches.

The officer was arrested for the afore mentioned incident and whilst in custody made unsolicited threats to further harm the member of public which he had allegedly already assaulted.