Cop Caught in Smooch with Prisoner - Ended Up Behind Bars
A young police officer's life took a nosedive after she was caught kissing one of the criminals she had become infatuated with while passing him sensitive information. Choni Kenny, just 27 years old, joined the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) in 2020, but her career came crashing down as she was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
The courtroom drama unfolded over two days, revealing that Kenny had a "casual sexual relationship" with Josh Whelan, a man described by Judge Neil Flewitt KC as a "committed criminal." Additionally, she had a "physical but casual" relationship with Rahim Mottley, a former schoolmate. The situation escalated when a shocking image surfaced, showing Kenny and Whelan sharing a kiss in a waiting room at Forest Bank Prison in Salford, Greater Manchester, all while she was still in her police uniform.
Whelan, who was incarcerated from 2021 to 2023, was found to be in possession of 20 mobile phones during his time behind bars, all of which were funded and delivered by Kenny. This revelation raised serious questions about her judgment and integrity as a police officer.
During the sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Flewitt expressed his disappointment, stating, "Your actions were not motivated by a desire for a financial or other advantage or borne out of any malice. They were a consequence of your naivety, immaturity, and wish to maintain the friendship of Josh Whelan and Rahim Mottley." He emphasized that while her intentions may not have been malicious, she must have known that her actions were wrong.
The judge further pointed out that Kenny had not only let down the GMP and the community it serves but also herself, her family, and her friends. The court heard that she accessed police information and intelligence, disclosing sensitive details to Whelan, including a victim statement related to allegations of violence against a former partner.
In November 2022, after Whelan was released from prison, Kenny was spotted with him in her BMW, and they even dined at a Nando's restaurant together. Shortly after, she returned to work, where she searched for details about prisoners who had been released that week, raising further red flags about her conduct.
Defending Whelan, Alexander Beevers stated, "He is a convicted criminal. His co-defendant liked that aspect of his character; it is something that appealed to her. Unfortunately, she, in addition and unusually, had the status of being a police officer. She was willing to make use of that status." This statement highlights the troubling dynamic between Kenny and Whelan, suggesting that her attraction to his criminal lifestyle played a significant role in her misconduct.
The court also learned that after Mottley was arrested in February 2022, Kenny searched police systems to access information about the investigation. She even informed him about a planned police firearms raid and promised to uncover the identities of "local grasses" before attending a course on handling police informants. Mottley was eventually arrested in Spain, where some of his family resided, and was extradited to face legal proceedings.
A spokesperson for GMP confirmed that Kenny had been dismissed following an accelerated misconduct hearing on April 1. Chief Constable Stephen Watson condemned her actions, stating, "Pc Kenny's offending behavior was simply unacceptable. Her accessing and sharing police data with active criminals is a tangible manifestation of a distinct lack of integrity, decency, and moral fiber, which additionally point to her being manifestly unsuited to the office of constable."
Kenny, who hails from Cheadle, Greater Manchester, admitted to four counts of misconduct in a public office and one count of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office during an earlier hearing. Meanwhile, Mottley, aged 28, received a sentence of two years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office. Whelan, from Wythenshawe, Manchester, was sentenced to two years and eight months after admitting to multiple offenses, including possessing a specified item in prison, possession of a bladed article, racially aggravated assault, threatening behavior, and a bail offense.
