A custody sergeant has appeared in court accused of telling his partner the personal details of people who had been detained by police.

Southampton Central-based Andrew Laverick, 39, has appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates' Court facing three charges.

Laverick, of Stevens Road in Eastleigh, has denied disclosing personal data and disclosing the password and user details for a website that is only accessible to police and county council staff.

Prosecutor David Fosler said all three offences under the Data Protection Act 2018 are related to disclosures to Laverick’s partner.

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Mr Fosler said: “At the time of the offences, Mr Laverick was employed by Hampshire Constabulary.

"He fulfilled the role of custody sergeant at Southampton Central Police Station. The partner to whom the disclosures were made is a non-police staff.

“The offence from July 15, 2022, was disclosure in an email concerning details of people who were detained in custody.

"Similarly, on August 10, further personal information was disclosed regarding someone who had been detained in custody.

“And finally, on August 12, it was disclosure of a password and user details for Hampshire Online Learning, which is open only to Hampshire Constabulary and Hampshire County Council, neither of which applied to the person to whom the details were disclosed to.”

Representing Laverick, defence counsel Adam King requested magistrates send the case for a jury trial at crown court.

Laverick only spoke to confirm his name, date of birth, address and agree to a jury trial.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ikram Tan sent the case to the Winchester Crown Court on Wednesday, September 27.

Mr Fosler said it "seems appropriate" that the matter not be heard in a Hampshire crown court, given Laverick worked for Hampshire Constabulary.

Winchester Crown Court will decide where the case will be heard at the hearing next month.