Ex-police officer in court over corruption charges

A former police officer has plead not guilty after he was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, accessing unauthorised police data and theft.

Michael Meade, 41, of Dudwell Lane, Halifax, appeared at Bradford Magistrates Court earlier.

Meade was a police officer based in Calderdale District prior to his resignation. The charges relate to a period between 23 April 2023 and 6 May 2023.

The court heard the charges of unauthorised access to policing systems related to searches made regarding two males from an organised crime group.

After an investigation by West Yorkshire Police Counter Corruption Unit, he was charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, theft and two counts of unauthorised access to policing systems contrary to the Computer Misuse Act 1990.

Meade is also charged with stealing £500 from Kazim Mirza, 33, who appeared alongside him at Bradford Magistrates Court, also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Mirza, of Sefton Terrace, Halifax, was also charged with possession of a taser and possession of cannabis.

He pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and possession of a taser and was fined £101 and given a three months conditional discharge after admitting possession of cannabis.

Both defendants were awarded unconditional bail and will next appear at Bradford Crown Court on 1 July.

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