Two serving police officers have been sentenced over a ‘juvenile prank’ - and an internal investigation could potentially end their careers with the Isle of Man Constabulary.

Sergeant Sophie Watterson-Jones, 36, and Constable Mark Hempsall, 58, were each fined £2,000 after being convicted of the unauthorised modification of police computer data.

The court heard the sexuality of Watterson-Jones’ ex-husband had been changed from ‘no entry’ to ‘homosexual’ and saved on the police Connect system.

They had denied an offence under the Computer Security Act but changed their pleas to guilty on the eve of their summary court trial.

Sentencing the pair last month, magistrates told them: ‘As police officers you should have known better.

‘While this may be looked at by some as a juvenile prank you were both serving police officers.

‘The real damage here is the impact which these offences have on the public’s trust and confidence in the Isle of Man Constabulary.’

The officers’ defence advocates told the court that the offence had no impact on the complainant.

But in a victim impact statement, the ex-husband said it would be highly embarrassing for him if something appeared in the media saying he was gay.

As a Muslim, he said he would have to explain to people that he was heterosexual.

‘This worries me. I should not be in this position,’ he said.

Prosecuting advocate Harry Bellis said the matter came to light when messages on Watterson-Jones’ phone were downloaded.

He read out messages between the pair from June 2023, with one from Hempsall titled: ‘You like this’. Watterson-Jones replied: ‘That made me giggle’.

Hempsall responded: ‘I’m doing this’ and she replied: ‘Love it’.

Mr Bellis told the court that it appeared to be a joke between the two defendants.

‘But of course modification of data of that nature is not a joke and the consequences are taken seriously,’ he added.

The court heard Hempsall had instigated the offence but, as his superior officer, Watterson-Jones should have stopped him.

Defence advocate Jim Travers, representing Hempsall, said that, as a serving officer in the dock, the offence ‘may well spell the end of his professional career with Isle of Man Constabulary’.

He said his client had served in the force for many years and was a commended officer with an exemplary record.

‘This particular offence represents a somewhat childish prank,’ he said.

‘Mr Hempsall is remorseful. He wishes this had never happened. Clearly, there will be some severe consequences by way of Constabulary disciplinary measures to follow.’

Mr Travers pointed out that a single word had been added and insisted there had been no consequences.

David Reynolds, representing Watterson-Jones, said his client is suspended from work.

He said the investigation is ongoing and the likelihood was that she could lose her job.

‘This was all for a spur of the moment where she has not challenged what had then be done,’ Mr Reynolds added.

He said in other circumstances the officers’ actions could be regarded as high jinks. ‘What impact would this have on the complainant? None whatsoever,’ he added.

The prosecutor earlier said no evidence would be offered on a number of other allegations, which were not admitted by the defendants, of knowingly or recklessly disclosing personal data, saying it was not in the public interest to proceed to trial.

As well as fining both officers £2,000, magistrates ordered each to pay £500 prosecution costs.

The Isle of Man Constabulary says an internal investigation into the conduct of the two officers remains ongoing.

A spokesperson said: ‘The Isle of Man Constabulary notes the outcome of the court proceedings concerning the serving police officers.

‘The Constabulary is considering the implications of the court's findings and any consequential internal processes. It would be inappropriate to comment further while those matters remain ongoing.’