Teenager loses bid to delete police file

A TEENAGER accused of “sexting” girls at his school has lost a High Court bid to force police to delete details of the incidents.

The boy, known only as CL, claimed Greater Manchester Police’s retention of crime reports on the incidents was a “disproportionate interference” with his right to privacy.

Lawyers for the boy, who was aged 14 and 15 at the time of the incidents, argued that the “blanket and indiscriminate approach to recording personal details without regard to the fact that CL was a minor” was unlawful.

But, giving judgment in London yesterday, Lord Justice Hickinbottom, sitting with Mrs Justice Moulder, said that the level interference with the claimant’s right to privacy was “modest” and the retention of incident details was “well justified”.

CL’s barrister Amanda Weston QC said at a hearing last year that the potential impact on the boy of the police retaining the reports was “immense and likely to have a number of consequences”.

The boy was said to be particularly concerned that information in the reports about him sexting – sending indecent images – could be disclosed if a potential employer sought an enhanced criminal record check before offering him a job.

But Lord Justice Hickinbottom said “the three reports (if true) fit a pattern of behaviour in the claimant that, over time, was increasingly serious”, and “the public interest considerations justify the retention of the personal information of the claimant”.

He also found that “each element of recording, retaining and disclosing non-conviction information by the police is the subject of intensive regulation and guidance, which rightly includes a myriad of safeguards”.

Ruling that the system was not “unlawful”, he said CL’s application for permission to appeal against the decision was refused.