How Laidley photo leak case fell apart
It was dubbed “one of the worst leaks” in Victoria Police’s history – so how did officers involved in the Dani Laidley photo saga avoid conviction?
Police & Courts
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The Dani Laidley photo saga came to an end last month after the final police officer prosecuted over the leak had his charges dropped.
The two-year scandal, which saw hundreds of Victoria Police employees interviewed, was described by Chief Commissioner Shane Patton as one of the worst leaks in the force’s history.
In May 2020, Ms Laidley was being questioned at St Kilda police station over stalking accusations when Senior Constable Shane Reid snapped a photo of her in an interview room.
The image of Ms Laidley, who was wearing a blonde wig and makeup, was shared in a group chat with eight other officers before it was leaked to the public and went viral.
Ms Laidley’s mugshot was also leaked but the culprit of that disclosure was never found.
In total, 39 police members faced disciplinary action with at least six ordered to pay up to $3000 compensation to Ms Laidley following an exhaustive seven-month internal investigation.
Earlier this year, Ms Laidley reached a confidential settlement with Victoria Police after launching a negligence claim against the force, alleging officers had breached their duty of care owed to her while in custody.
Three officers at the centre of the leak were prosecuted.
Senior Constable Shane Reid
On May 3, 2020, Senior Constable Shane Reid took a snap of Ms Laidley at St Kilda police station and allowed a colleague to take a photograph of the image on his phone.
The next day, he posted the photo in a WhatsApp group with eight other colleagues called the “SDI Gentleman’s Club”.
Following an internal investigation, Mr Reid was hit with four charges including wilful misconduct and disclosing police information without reasonable excuse.
Mr Reid pleaded not guilty and was suspended without pay as the matter made its way through the courts.
In April this year, Melbourne Magistrate Hayley Bate found the prosecution had failed to establish his actions were criminal behaviour rather than workplace misconduct.
Prosecutors argued that a breach of Victoria Police’s code of conduct constituted a criminal offence, but Ms Bate rejected the claim, favouring the defence argument that it was a disciplinary matter.
Ms Bate upheld a “no case” submission, finding the prosecution had provided insufficient evidence to convict Mr Reid and she ordered Victoria Police to pay his legal costs.
Mr Reid resigned from the force following the scandal with his lawyer arguing for a non-conviction to allow him to return to his former teaching career.
The former cop told detectives investigating the leak that his actions were “dumb” and had distracted public attention from memorial services for four police officers killed in the
deadly Eastern Freeway crash.
“It has put my job and the organisation in jeopardy,” he told detectives.
“I’m really disappointed something like that has happened because of me.”
He acknowledged Ms Laidley’s “rights as a person in police custody” had been breached and that she did not deserve to be “made a mockery of”.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Murray Gentner
Detective Leading Senior Constable Murray Gentner walked free from Melbourne Magistrates’ Court earlier this year after he was acquitted on misconduct and disclosure offences.
Magistrate Samantha Poulter dismissed the charges against Mr Gentner on a legal technicality, finding the prosecution had failed to establish the officer had a duty to not disclose Ms Laidley’s information.
Prosecutors dropped a sixth charge alleging he took a photograph of the mugshot from a police database and shared it.
Mr Gentner, who is an award-winning detective, admitted sharing Ms Laidley’s mugshot in the group chat but said he got the image from the internet after it had been leaked.
In the group chat, Mr Gentner wrote: “Laidley remanded overnight. Now a full-blown ice head and tranny.”
He later told investigators he regretted his language.
His lawyers argued their client’s alleged behaviour was a question about ethics rather than criminal liability.
Constable David Hall
Constable David Hall was the last officer involved in the matter to have his charges dropped.
He was charged with two counts of unauthorised disclosure of police information for sharing details of Ms Laidley’s arrest via text message to a man and woman.
Constable Hall, who planned to contest the charges, allegedly shared information on the former AFL coach’s arrest, charges and gender.
But last month prosecutors withdrew the charges without explanation.
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