ACCUSED
Police officer in court over charges of voyeurism and misconduct
A POLICE officer has appeared in court on misconduct and voyeurism charges.
Jonathan Layzell is accused of “engaging in a relationship” with two women involved in police investigations between January 2014 and March 2017.
The 42-year-old is also alleged to have “repeatedly telephoned and harassed” one of the women and disclosed confidential information about third parties to her.
Layzell, who works for Northumbria Police, appeared at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, where he faced four counts of misconduct in a public office.
He was also charged with an offence of voyeurism, where he allegedly took photos of the genital area of a third woman.
Because of the seriousness of the misconduct offences, no pleas were taken during the brief hearing and Layzell spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth, address and nationality. The charges he faces are:
■ Misconduct in a public office. Between January 27, 2014, and December 31, 2016, while serving as an acting police officer employed by Northumbria Police, he wilfully misconducted himself, without reasonable excuse of justification, namely by engaging in a relationship with [a woman], a witness is an investigation in which he was involved to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in a police officer.
■ Misconduct in a public office. Between January 27, 2014, and December 31, 2016, while serving as an acting police officer employed by Northumbria Police, he wilfully misconducted himself, without reasonable excuse of justification, namely by disclosing confidential information about third parties to [a woman], to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in a police officer.
■ Misconduct in a public office. On March 30, 2017, while serving as an acting police officer employed by Northumbria Police, he wilfully misconducted himself, without reasonable excuse of justification, namely by repeatedly telephoning [a woman] and harassing her.
■ Misconduct in a public office. Between December 29, 2016, and March 29, 2017, while serving as an acting police officer employed by Northumbria Police, he wilfully misconducted himself, without reasonable excuse of justification, by engaging in a relationship with [a second woman], a witness is an investigation in which he was involved, to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in a police officer.
■ Voyeurism. Between April 1, 2013, and April 30, 2013, for the purpose of sexual gratification, observed [a third woman] doing a private act, namely took photos of her genital area, when consent was not given to being observed for his sexual gratification.
Clare Irving, prosecuting, said the misconduct charges could only be heard at the crown court and, therefore, all the cases should be sent there.
Magistrates released Layzell, of Rothbury Gardens, Lobley Hill, Gateshead, on unconditional bail to next appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 6.