Constable David Hall to contest charges related to Dani Laidley photo leak scandal

A police officer charged over the photo leak scandal involving former AFL coach Dani Laidley will fight the allegations.

A police officer charged over the photo leak scandal involving former AFL coach Dani Laidley will fight the allegations.

Constable David Hall is accused of sending three text messages with details of the ex-Kangaroos coach’s arrest, charges and her gender.

Photos of the former AFL coach, which showed her wearing make-up and a blonde wig – went viral online after she was arrested over stalking matters in May last year.

Police do not allege Mr Hall, 28, took the photos – which also included a mug shot – but has been charged with two counts of unauthorised disclosure of police information contained in texts sent to a man and woman.

Photos of the former AFL coach Dani Laidely showed her wearing make-up and a blonde wig. Picture: Quinn Rooney.

In a brief online hearing before the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday, defence lawyer Kerry Stephens said the matter “will not resolve”.

“My instructor has been having ongoing discussions with (Office of Public Prosecutions) but they haven’t been fruitful and aren’t likely to be,” Mr Stephens said.

“It will not resolve, it will end up as a contested hearing,” he said.

Prosecutor Neil Hutton did not oppose a defence request to adjourn the matter for six weeks while further subpoenas and court material was obtained.

Mr Hall appeared virtually during the hearing but kept his camera off and remained silent throughout the proceedings.

The constable, from the northwest metro region, is one of three police officers facing criminal charges over the photo leak.

Among them is Detective Murray Gentner who was a key figure in the Bourke St massacre inquest after he attempted to persuade James Gargasoulas to surrender in the period before he drove through the CBD in 2017.

A court sketch of former AFL player and coach Dean Laidley during a bail hearing at Melbourne Magistrates Court. Picture: AAP Image.

Leading Sen-Const. Gentner has been charged with one count of unauthorised access of police information, four counts of unauthorised disclosure of police information and one count of misconduct in public office.

Six officers embroiled in the scandal were ordered to pay thousands of dollars in compensation to the former North Melbourne coach in April.

It comes as Laidley launched legal action in the Supreme Court last month seeking damages, claiming she had been “brought into public ridicule and contempt” over the leaking of the photos.

The action is being taken against the state government as the operator of Victoria Police.

The scandal was described by Mr Patton as one of the worst leaks in Victoria Police’s history.

More than 270 Victoria Police employees were interviewed in connection to the leak.