Dan Hobbs and Zander Goss represented the Metropolitan Police Service in misconduct case arising from the investigation into the disappearance of Sarah Everard

Dan Hobbs and Zander Goss, led by Paul Ozin KC from 23ES, represented the Metropolitan Police Service in proceedings against four serving officers and two former officers. This police misconduct case involved allegations that each of the officers had improperly accessed sensitive and confidential police data related to (i) the investigation into Sarah Everard’s abduction, kidnapping, and murder; and (ii) the detention of former PC Wayne Couzens in connection with her disappearance.

The data in question included custody records concerning Wayne Couzens and his wife, as well as the crime report (CRIS) connected to the investigation into Sarah Everard’s abduction, kidnapping, and murder and other evidential documents held on the COPA file.

After a three-week hearing, three officers were found guilty of gross misconduct.

Accordingly, PC McHugh was dismissed, Former DC Rebbeck, who resigned in advance of the hearing, was placed onto the police barred list, and PS Harper was given a final written warning.

The misconduct panel determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove that the other three officers involved had viewed the information without a legitimate policing reason.

A separate hearing is to be scheduled for a seventh officer who faces similar charges.

The case and its outcome received extensive media coverage:

• The Guardian
• Sky news
• BBC news

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Related barristers

Daniel Hobbs

Call 1998

Zander Goss

Call 2017

Related areas

Police Law

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Professional Discipline & Regulatory

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