Caboolture police officer sentenced for wrongfully accessing information
A Queensland police officer tied up in an “ill fated relationship” has been sentenced by a magistrate for illegally accessing police information.
Moreton
Don't miss out on the headlines from Moreton. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A Caboolture police officer who had been stood down following charges of illegally using his work computer to access information has been sentenced in court.
Casey Michael Webster, 39 of Image Flat, will face further disciplinary action by Queensland Police after pleading guilty to four counts of using a restricted computer without consent to cause or attempt to cause detriment, damage or gain.
The offences happened on October 21, 2017 and February 3, July 6 and July 26, 2018 at Caboolture station.
The court heard the watch house officer had been stood down as a result of the charges, costing him between $5000 and $10,000 in lost wages from performing overtime and acting in higher roles.
Magistrate Andrew Hackett heard the officer suffered depression following an “ill fated relationship”.
The court heard the relationship was linked to Webster’s actions, where he illegally used his police computer access privileges to obtain information.
While Magistrate Hackett described Webster’s motives for obtaining information on one of the occasions as “ill advised but protective”, the court heard Webster did not share the information he had obtained.
The court heard that despite finishing high school in Year 10, Webster had worked towards securing a career as a police officer — he began his police career as a constable at Nambour in 2016.
Magistrate Hackett said the charges before the court, and the resulting Queensland Police disciplinary action would affect that career.
“I have no desire to discipline too many police officers,” Magistrate Hackett said.
“It is a difficult and vital job (they do).
“You have suffered... as a result of these charges.
“You have lost the financial benefit of acting up.
“You don’t know what your career will (hold)... it will be like the pink elephant in the room when you put yourself forward for (career opportunities).
“The information was not supplied (to) third parties... in that there was a wise decision being preceded by a poor one.”
Webster was fined $1500 and no conviction was recorded.
More local news:
Morayfield shopping precinct’s revival plans after Kaufland disaster