A former police officer from Oswaldtwistle who pleaded guilty to sending images of an injured suspect to his wife has had his sentence date moved due to clerical errors.

Cameron Hanson, who worked as a police officer in the Ribble Valley, pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office within 16 counts on his indictment.

He was due to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Friday, May 17), but has had his sentence date moved due to clerical errors by the court.

Hanson shared clips of body-worn footage and images of serious injury to a suspect, to his 33-year-old wife between August 20, 2021 and September 3, 2021.

Hanson's wife, Kirstie Hanson, a former police staff member, also pleaded guilty to multiple charges of gross misconduct at an earlier hearing.

Cameron will also appear with his co-defendants, wife Kirstie Hanson and Charlotte Riley, also a member of police staff.

Riley, of Carholme Avenue, Burnley, previously pleaded guilty to four counts of gross misconduct in a public office. The charges she admitted are:

  • Three counts of conspiring to secure unauthorised access to computer material on September 7, 2019, July 4, 2019, and July 15, 2019
  • And disclosing sensitive information to another on May 24, 2021.

Due to Kirstie Hanson and Charlotte Riley's defence barrister's failing to attend court, their sentencing date has now been moved to Thursday, May 30, and is expected to last an hour and a half.

Prosecution barrister Matthew Conway told the court this was a large inconvenience to everyone, but in particular one of the victims, who was due to attend court to read out her victim personal statement. 

He said: "The victim teed herself up to bravely read her statement in court and has fixed dates for a pre-booked holiday later in June."

His Honour Judge Dean KC, the honorary recorder of Manchester: "I was a little bit irritated that this case could not go ahead.

"But, this is not an unfamiliar situation with counsel availability, and I understand why that it is, with quite a lot of cases having to be re-fixed.

"I am conscious one of the defendants is pregnant and in a relatively advanced stage, which is another reason to ensure the case can proceed with as little delay as possible.

"I am of course sorry that the victim has been let down.

"Thankfully the delay is not that great and I will ensure it is marked as an imperative case to go ahead on that date.

"Whilst counsel's availability is unpredictable, I am not going to permit this situation to arise again. I will ensure this case has the highest priority."