Two former call handlers from Derbyshire Police, Jessica Fitzhugh and Ellie-Mae Doherty, have been sentenced to prison for leaking confidential police information to their criminal partners. The sentencing took place at Leicester Crown Court, where Doherty received an 11-month prison term, while Fitzhugh was sentenced to four months.

The court heard that both women, who were just 22 years old, accessed sensitive police systems to obtain information about their boyfriends, who were involved in criminal activities. Notably, Doherty had only been employed by the police for three months when she disclosed details about a planned police drug operation to her boyfriend. This breach of trust came to light after investigators discovered a message on her partner's phone indicating that she had warned him about the police action, stating, "My bird who works at Ripley police got into work and texted me to ring Stirch but was five minutes too late."

During the sentencing, Judge Timothy Spencer KC characterized the women as "naive" at the time of their offenses, referring to them as "girlfriends of two undesirable young men." He expressed disappointment at their disregard for the training and guidelines provided by Derbyshire Police, emphasizing that their actions were in direct violation of the protocols they had agreed to follow.

Fitzhugh joined the force in January 2023, initially working as a call handler before advancing to a dispatcher role. She later recommended Doherty for a position, who began her employment in September 2023. The court noted that both women had undergone rigorous vetting processes and had signed declarations confirming they had no associations with individuals involved in criminal activities.

Prosecutor Helen Rodger highlighted that both women were aware of their relationships with men engaged in crime, which should have been disclosed to their superiors. In addition to leaking information about the drug operation, Doherty also shared details regarding a violent incident involving her boyfriend, where another man had smashed a window.

The judge remarked on the personal toll the case had taken on the women, suggesting that their friendship may have been irreparably damaged by the events. He noted that the actions of the two women would likely haunt them for the rest of their lives. Despite positive character references presented during the trial, Judge Spencer stated that it was difficult to reconcile the positive qualities of the women with the serious offenses they committed.

Both Fitzhugh and Doherty were charged in April following an investigation led by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which was prompted by conduct referrals. Their sentences serve as a reminder of the serious consequences of compromising the integrity of law enforcement agencies.