Detective Inspector Emma Gardner, 46, has denied any wrongdoing after being accused of using a police computer record to provide information to a friend. Appearing at Caernarfon Crown Court, Gardner stated that all her accesses to police systems were for legitimate policing purposes, asserting that she had dedicated her life to her career.
Gardner, who joined North Wales Police in 2000 and has worked in various roles including the Protecting Vulnerable People Unit, told the jury about the emotional impact of her work. She described attending child tragedies and later receiving a diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for which she underwent counseling.
The court heard that Gardner met Simon Acton when she was a uniformed officer and he worked as a nightclub bouncer. They became Facebook friends and had a brief sexual relationship but were not in a committed relationship, she testified, characterizing their connection as platonic.
Gardner stated that she had not seen Acton since December 2019. He reportedly contacted her approximately two years later seeking advice regarding a "controlling" relationship and expressing dissatisfaction with how the police had handled his situation. Gardner said their exchanges escalated through messages, and Acton became a source of emotional support.
However, prosecutor Andrew Scott alleged that Gardner accessed police logs concerning a minor complaint involving a dispute between former partners, which was already being handled by uniformed officers. He further alleged that she then shared this information with Acton.
Gardner denied these allegations, maintaining that the information she provided to Acton did not prejudice or interfere with any investigation. The court was informed that Gardner had messaged Acton saying, "I have my uses." She explained this remark as a "self-deprecating" response to a compliment, not a reference to accessing police records.
Further allegations suggested that Acton had been arrested at one point, and the prosecution challenged Gardner over claims that she deleted messages exchanged between them. Gardner denied deleting messages and also rejected accusations of concealing the nature of her friendship with Acton from the force's anti-corruption unit.
The prosecution also claims that Gardner accessed police logs related to Acton and three other women. Gardner insisted that she did not view any records out of personal curiosity and reiterated that every access was for a policing purpose. When questioned about the appropriateness of a police officer engaging in an investigation concerning a close friend, Gardner replied affirmatively, stating she believed she remained impartial and would have arrested Acton or arranged for his arrest if he had admitted to any offenses.
The trial is ongoing.