Two serving police officers convicted over a ‘juvenile prank’ involving the force’s computer system have been dismissed without notice.

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.

Magistrates 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.

Following their convictions, the officers faced internal special case misconduct hearings.

Those hearings have now concluded, with both officers found to have breached standards of professional behaviour and dismissed without notice.

Superintendent Dave Dobbie, of the Professional Standards Department, said: ‘This demonstrates the Constabulary’s commitment to dealing with allegations of misconduct promptly, fairly and transparently, whilst ensuring due process is followed throughout.

‘The Isle of Man Constabulary is committed to maintaining public confidence and ensuring that all officers and staff uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and conduct.

‘Officers who breach the standards of professional behaviour undermine the trust placed in them by the public and their colleagues. Such conduct will not be tolerated.

‘The Chief Constable expects the highest standards from all officers and staff, both on and off duty. Where those standards are not met, the Constabulary will take robust and appropriate action to ensure accountability and maintain public confidence in policing.’

He added: ‘The Constabulary remains committed to upholding the values of honesty, integrity and professionalism that the public rightly expects from its police service.’

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.’

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

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 it appeared to have been 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.

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.