Court worker jailed after accessing and sharing sensitive information

A court worker has today, Friday 23 January, been jailed for two years after accessing and sharing sensitive information.

Alexandra Power, 40, of Brentwood Avenue, Crosby, had been working at South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle as an administrative officer when she shared information including details of search warrants linked to serious organised criminality.

Her actions came to light after a suspect in an ongoing drug trafficking operation was arrested in July 2023. His phone was seized which showed he had information which could only have come from confidential court documents.

An audit revealed that Power, who was not authorised, had accessed the documents 98 times over two days.

When she was arrested she was found in possession of sensitive information.

She pleaded guilty to perverting the court of justice and unauthorised access to computer material and today at Manchester Crown Court she was sentenced to two years.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul McVeigh said: “It was clear when Power was arrested and her phone seized that she had been sharing information about the workings of the court and sending information which was not in the public domain.

“Having accessed sensitive information regarding applications for warrants to search addresses associated to serious organised criminality she then went on to share that information to those who were to be subjected to the warrants.

“Her actions had a direct impact on criminal investigations and were clearly a massive breach of the position of trust she held.

“The public expects for people working in Power’s position to uphold the law and it is right that she is now behind bars as a result of her actions.

“We worked closely with His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) to identify Power at the earliest opportunity and a full review has taken place to ensure this does not happen again.”