Former member of Police staff convicted for passing confidential information onto her drug-dealer boyfriend

A former member of police staff has been convicted of passing on confidential information to her drug dealer boyfriend.

Lucy Langmead, aged 44, from Pontypridd, was working for South Wales Police when she began a relationship in 2020 with Daniel Cozens, 37.

An investigation by the force’s Anti-Corruption Unit found that between May 2021 and February 2022 Langmead accessed the police computer system and leaked confidential information to Cozens about his associates.

Between May 2020 and March 2022 Langmead also accessed the police computer system unlawfully to obtain information concerning family members and associates.

They were arrested and pleaded guilty to a number of offences, including conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office between May 2021 and February 2022.

Langmead pleaded guilty to 13 offences of securing unauthorised access to computer material, and five offences of unlawful disclosure of personal data.

Cozens, who is also from Pontypridd, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class C (Benzodiazepines); Being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class C (Pregablins) and possession of a controlled drug of class B (Cannabis).

They appeared at Cardiff Crown Court on June 3 where they were sentenced to two years and 11 months and one year and eight months respectively.

Langmead resigned from South Wales Police in May 2022.

Chief Superintendent Bella Rees, head of Professional Standards, said: “Police officers and staff have access to personal and private information and it is both a public expectation and a legal requirement that information should be treated in the strictest confidence, properly protected and used for legitimate policing purposes only.

“Accessing confidential police information without a legitimate policing purpose is an abuse of position and, as this case demonstrates, will be treated robustly.”