Mohammed Joel Choudhury

A former police officer from Lancashire has been sentenced to 16 months in prison following the discovery of indecent images of a young girl on his mobile device. Mohammed Joel Choudhury, aged 44 and residing in St Annes, was investigated by Lancashire Constabulary's anti-corruption unit in May 2023. The probe, initially focused on potential corruption, uncovered not only indecent images of a 16-year-old girl but also images of a vulnerable woman who had previously been a victim of crime.

Choudhury, who was based in Preston, pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court to charges of making indecent images of a child and misconduct in a public office. The court imposed a custodial sentence of 16 months, reflecting the severity of his actions, which involved exploiting his position of trust. Additionally, he was subjected to a seven-year sexual harm prevention order to restrict his behaviour and protect the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Pete Reil from the anti-corruption unit described Choudhury's conduct as 'completely reprehensible', emphasising that it was 'not compatible with anyone who has the privilege of wearing a police uniform'. The investigation led to Choudhury's resignation from the force earlier in 2024, followed by a guilty finding in an accelerated internal misconduct hearing in June. As a result of his conviction, he has been barred for life from working in law enforcement.

This case, reported by BBC News on 9 December 2024, highlights the rigorous internal checks within Lancashire Constabulary to maintain standards of integrity among its officers. The force's actions underscore their commitment to addressing misconduct swiftly and decisively.