Police commissioner PA Amy Evans admits computer misuse

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-32594798

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A police commissioner's personal assistant has admitted misusing force computers to view case details of people she knew.

Amy Evans admitted five offences under the Data Protection Act, including two while PA to Nottinghamshire police and crime commissioner Paddy Tipping.

Ms Evans, 37, of Sydney Terrace, Newark, had previously denied 10 charges under the Computer Misuse Act.

She was fined £2,700 and ordered to pay £200 costs by Nottingham magistrates.

The court heard Ms Evans used police computers to find out information about former employers and people she knew.

'Abuse of trust'

She checked up on two incidents at the Navigation pub in Newark, where she used to work as a part-time barmaid, and on a dispute at the Affordable Fitness Centre in the town.

Ms Evans had a "naive curiosity" but had not passed on the information to any third parties, the court was told.

Magistrates said her actions - relating to the period from 2010 to 2014 - were a "repeated abuse of trust".

Ms Evans was suspended from her post in June 2014 and now faces disciplinary action.

She joined Nottinghamshire Police as a clerical assistant in October 2005 before being promoted to the position of Mr Tipping's PA in April 2013.