Four face trial for using South Yorkshire police helicopter to film people having sex

TWO POLICE officers, a retired police officer and a pilot will go on trial next year accused of misusing the camera on a police helicopter to look at people who were naked or engaged in sex acts.
Matthew Loosemore leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMatthew Loosemore leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Matthew Loosemore leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

The four 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 Crown Court along with former South Yorkshire officer Adrian Pogmore, 50.

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Alongside them in the dock was Matthew Loosemore, 44, who was a South Yorkshire Police pilot before transferring to the National Police Air Service in 2013.

Lee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyLee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Lee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

All four men pleaded not guilty to charges of misconduct in a public office.

They were told they will go on trial on July 17 2017.

Malcolm Reeves, 63, who was a pilot at South Yorkshire Police before retiring in 2013, is also charged in relation to the same case but did not appear at Sheffield Crown Court with the other four defendants on Tuesday.

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.

Matthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMatthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Matthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
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Pogmore, of Guilthwaite Crescent, Whiston, Rotherham, denies four charges.

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

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.

Lee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyLee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Lee Walls leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

Reeves, of Farfield Avenue, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, faces two counts. He has not yet entered pleas.

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

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

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

Matthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry AgencyMatthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency
Matthew Lucas leaves Sheffield Crown court after being accused with four others of using the camera on a police helicopter to film people who were naked or having sex. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

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.

All the defendants were granted bail by the Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Julian Goose QC, and will appear again for a further hearing on July 14.