AN Avon and Somerset police officer sent images and videos of a number of incidents and investigations he attended.

The offences committed by Lewis Wood, 42, who left the force in 2021, included sharing images of a dead man and other material relating to a suspected child rapist.

He took stills and footage from the force computer and shared them with loved ones on multiple occasions.

Wood, from Bridgwater, has pleaded guilty at Exeter Crown Court to three counts of misconduct in a public office between December 2018 and August 2020.

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: “This has been a hugely distressing case for the victims and I am sorry for what they have been put through.

“Lewis Wood’s decision to wilfully share sensitive images and videos to friends and family violated the trust members of the public put in him and us.

"His actions not only fell significantly below the standards we expect of officers but were criminal.

“There can be no doubt public confidence in policing has been eroded by his conduct, even though he has no active role in policing anymore.

“Once his actions came to light, a thorough investigation was carried out by our Counter Corruption Unit and we’ve worked closely with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout to build a strong case and to achieve these guilty pleas at Exeter Crown Court today (Friday, December 1).”

Wood, from Bridgwater, will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, February 9.