A CUMBRIA Police call handler illegally used the force's computer system to research her criminal boyfriend - and yet she held on to her job for 14 months after lying about what she had done.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how 26-year-old Genna Fowler pocketed £22,000 in wages during her 14 month suspension from her role at the Cumbria Police HQ in Penrith.

She was paid while suspended because she had denied misusing the forces's computer.

But with her guilt now established, she will be sacked, the court heard.

Fowler, of Spittal Farm, Wigton, admitted three data protection offences: two counts of obtaining personal data from the police computer system without the permission of her controller in May of last year; and one count of disclosing personal data - sensitive information relating an alleged sexual offence investigation.

The first two offences involved her researching a known Wigton 'criminal,' Maverick Charters.

She began a relationship with him in May of last year yet - for her own personal 'research' - she searched the police computer for information about him and his family.

The third offence involved her sending a screenshot via Facebook messenger of a police complaint log after a woman called up to allege a sexual offence of some kind.

Fowler knew the man who was under suspicion.

Her message, sent to a third party, clearly identified both the man and the woman.

Steven Reed, for Fowler, said: "She is clearly remorseful for what she has done."

Recorder Nicholas Clarke QC told Fowler: "You were well aware that the information could only be accessed for proper police purposes.

"You chose to begin a relationship with a criminal - one who had been and was in trouble with the police; and you looked him up on the police computer."

Fowler, who also admitted possessing cannabis and now runs a dog sitting business, was given fines and associated costs totalling £4,570.