Darcy Woods-Broady

A former Gloucestershire Police constable, Darcy Woods-Broady, has been sentenced for committing child sex offences against a 15-year-old girl. The 21-year-old officer, who had served with the force for just six months, was arrested by her colleagues in March 2023 and immediately suspended from duty.

Investigators from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) seized Woods-Broady's digital devices, which uncovered a significant quantity of messages, images, and videos exchanged between her and the underage girl. The sexual abuse occurred in various locations, including Woods-Broady's home and her car, between October 2022 and March 2023. The IOPC described the behaviour as predatory, noting that it was carried out for her own sexual gratification, although the victim was not encountered through her policing duties.

Woods-Broady appeared before Worcester Crown Court on 7th August 2024, where she pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual activity with a girl aged under 16 and inciting a girl under 16 to engage in sexual activity. She was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years, and made subject to a five-year sexual harm prevention order. Additionally, she was placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Steve Noonan, director of operations at the IOPC, commented: 'While she did not meet the victim through her policing duties and the offences committed were outside of work, PC Woods-Broady’s actions amounted to predatory behaviour on a child for her own sexual gratification. She has now faced the consequences of her conduct at criminal court.' The IOPC directed the investigation by Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Professional Standards Department and referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service in November 2023, leading to the charges.

Following the criminal proceedings, Woods-Broady faces a gross misconduct hearing organised by Gloucestershire Constabulary. She has recently resigned from the force. The case was reported by the Gazette Series on 8th August 2024, based on information from the IOPC and court records.