South Yorkshire police helicopter '˜spied and filmed people having sex'

TWO police officers, a retired police officer and a current and a former pilot have appeared in court charged in relation to misusing the camera on a police helicopter to look at people who are naked or engaged in sex acts.
Adrian Pogmore arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyAdrian Pogmore arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Adrian Pogmore arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

The five men were arrested as part of a South Yorkshire Police investigation into reports the force helicopter had been used for inappropriate filming.

Serving officers Matthew Lucas, 41, and Lee Walls, 46, appeared at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday along with former South Yorkshire officer Adrian Pogmore, 50.

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Alongside them in the glass-fronted dock were Matthew Loosemore, 44, who was a South Yorkshire Police pilot before transferring to the National Police Air Service in 2013, and Malcolm Reeves, 63, who was a pilot at South Yorkshire Police before retiring in 2013.

Matthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMatthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Matthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

All five men are charged with misconduct in a public office.

The charges relate to four alleged incidents between 2007 and 2012 - one incident on August 23 2007, two incidents on July 28 2008, and one incident on July 22 2012.

Pogmore, of Guilthwaite Crescent, Whiston, Rotherham, faces four charges.

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One alleges misconduct which was “namely to observe and record a naked person without her knowledge and consent”.

Matthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMatthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Matthew Lucas arrives at court. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Another alleges misconduct amounting to “misusing police resources for purposes that were not connected to your employment, namely to observe and record persons performing sexual acts”.

The other four men face similar charges of misconduct.

Reeves, of Farfield Avenue, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, faces two counts.

Walls, of Southlands Way, Aston, Sheffield, faces one count.

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Loosemore, of Briar Close, Auckley, Doncaster, faces one count.

Lucas, of Coppice Rise, Chapeltown, Sheffield, faces three counts.

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that Lucas and Walls are serving officers - Lucas is based in Sheffield and Walls works within operational support services - but have been suspended from duty.

District Judge Naomi Redhouse said the case had to be transferred to the Crown Court.

She granted all five men unconditional bail and said they will appear at Sheffield Crown Court on June 7.