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Two police call handlers have appeared in court accused of passing information to criminals.
Jessica Fitzhugh and Ellie-Mae Doherty, both 22, are alleged to have committed misconduct in public office while working in Derbyshire Police’s control room.
They are accused of accessing the force’s computer systems without authority and providing the confidential data to ‘unauthorised third parties’.
The pair are also charged with failing to inform Derbyshire Police of an association with people involved in criminality.
Fitzhugh, wearing a white coat, and Doherty, who wore a black trouser suit and white blouse, made a brief appearance at Leicester Magistrates’ Court today.
They spoke only to confirm their names, addresses, and dates of birth during the five-minute hearing.
No pleas were entered.
Ellie-Mae Doherty, 22, is charged with passing confidential information to criminals while working in Derbyshire Police’s control room
Jessica Fitzhugh, also 22, has been charged with the same offences
They are accused of accessing the force’s computer systems without authority and providing the confidential data to ‘unauthorised third parties’
The pair are also charged with failing to inform Derbyshire Police of an association with people involved in criminality
Their arrests followed an investigation directed by the police watchdog
The case was adjourned to Leicester Crown Court on June 8.
Fitzhugh, of Belper, Derbyshire, and Doherty, of Ripley, Derbyshire, were released on unconditional bail.
The alleged offences are said to have taken place in 2023 and 2024.
The pair were charged following conduct referrals by Derbyshire Police to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in December 2023 and March 2024.
A subsequent investigation was carried out by Derbyshire Police’s counter corruption unit under the direction and control of the IOPC, the police watchdog.
Both women have been suspended from their roles within the force.
An IOPC spokesman said: ‘At the end of our investigation we sent a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service and on March 23 this year the CPS authorised the charges of misconduct in public office.’
