Dani Laidley alleges police accessed her phone
More dramatic accusations have emerged from the night former AFL coach Dani Laidley was in custody at St Kilda police station.
Police & Courts
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Dani Laidley has lodged a fresh complaint against Victoria Police over fears officers inappropriately accessed personal videos and text messages on her mobile phone and shared them.
Sources told the Herald Sun a formal allegation has been lodged, stating that after officers seized the former AFL player and coach’s phone while she was in their custody on May 3 last year, personal information was downloaded and potentially distributed without her knowledge or consent.
While Ms Laidley was under arrest at St Kilda police station, an unauthorised photo of her was taken covertly by an officer as she sat in an interview room.
But it is believed the new issue emerged during legal proceedings with Victoria Police over the leak of that image and of her mugshot.
Responding to questions from the Herald Sun Ms Laidley’s lawyer, Jeremy King of Robinson Gill Lawyers, said: “This is something that Dani has had grave concerns about for a long period of time. We have lodged a formal complaint with Victoria Police about this issue.
“We are currently in the dark about what exactly has happened here.”
Separate to Ms Laidley’s civil case, the officer accused of covertly snapping the photo of her while she was in custody is currently before the courts.
It is alleged former Senior Constable Shane Reid snapped her before sharing it in a group WhatsApp chat involving other police officers called the “SD1 Gentleman’s Club’’.
The photo of Ms Laidley, wearing a dress, blonde wig and make up, went viral within hours of her arrest and triggered a privacy storm.
Three officers were charged for leaking the photograph while 39 officers faced internal disciplinary action.
Ms Laidley, 54, launched a civil suit claiming the officers acted with malice and exposed her to humiliation and ridicule.
She has sought damages over the two photos circulated in the WhatsApp group and also posted on other social media platforms.
Victoria Police said in a statement professional standards had started an investigation after receiving a new complaint.
The new allegations about Ms Laidley’s treatment by police comes after Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission continues to probe allegations police officers last month also shared photos of her attending the Ballan Cup at Geelong Racecourse.
The photos were allegedly accompanied by transphobic comments. Those images were also not taken with Ms Laidley’s consent.
IBAC has launched an appeal for public information as to who took the racecourse pictures.
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