A FORMER police officer has been fined £1,000 after being convicted of illegally accessing “significant personal information” about two teenage girls.

Tristan Adams, 41, was a Essex Police community support officer serving in Southend and a voluntary cadet leader when the incident took place in May 2019.

Yesterday, Basildon Crown Court heard he accessed information relating the two 17-year-old girls who were in the police cadets in Southend.

Adams was set to stand trial after initially denying the offence, but pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully obtaining personal data yesterday.

Following the incident, Adams was dismissed from his job and barred from his voluntary role with the police cadets.

Recorder Tina Harrington, said: “You are 41 years of age and until today were of previous good character.

“I am sentencing you for one count of unlawfully obtaining personal data and the maximum penalty for this charge is an unlimited fine.

“I am told you were a PCSO working for Essex Police and as a consequence you had access to the Athena system which contains significant information about a number of people.

“After being investigated you told officers you had been getting information about a future leadership application which had not taken place.”

The court heard Adams acted alone and personal mitigation noted his mental health issues included autism and Asperger’s.

An investigation from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) from an Essex Police conduct referral began in December 2019.

The investigation concluded in February 2021 and the IOPC sent evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service who authorised the charge.

Recorder Harrington added: “You have no doubt brought a great deal of shame and distress to your family who have moved to Wales.

“I am however going to give you credit for a guilty plea, ten per cent, if you had been found guilty after a trial I would have fined you £1,100.”

Recorder Harrington reduced the fine to £1,000 to be paid at £100 a month from January 25 to November 1 this year.

Adams, of Manor Drive, Flint, Clywd, Wales, is also required to make a contribution towards prosecution costs of £1,000 and given ten months to pay.