Three wrongly accused over child abuse images after BT gets 'wires crossed'
19 hours ago
- #wrongful accusation
- #technical error
- #police investigation
- Three people were wrongly accused of downloading child abuse images due to a broadband wiring error by a BT engineer.
- The mistake led to their electronic devices being seized during two police searches, causing 'highly distressing and far-reaching' consequences.
- The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) ruled that Dyfed-Powys Police acted lawfully, attributing the error to a technical fault, not police misconduct.
- The claimants faced severe personal and professional repercussions, including job impacts and child protection referrals, despite never being charged.
- The actual offender was later identified and prosecuted, but the tribunal found no grounds for compensation for the wrongly accused.
- Dyfed-Powys Police acknowledged the distress caused but stated their actions were lawful and necessary.