Former PSNI officers and staff are alleged to have shared death scene photos for their trial | UTV

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A PSNI officer and ex-officer is now set to stand trial after images of the sudden death scenes were leaked.

The couple will stand trial for alleged misconduct in public office.

It is understood that one officer has already been dismissed from the PSNI, while the other officer has been suspended.

The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) made the announcement after considering evidence presented in an investigation file by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman.

The Operation Warwick Inquiry examined a number of incidents, including the alleged sharing of photographs taken at sudden death sites.

There had already been a decision to prosecute one person for three counts of improper use of a public electronic communications network in contravention of the Communications Act 2003.

After a separate filing by the PSNI, the individual is prosecuted in connection with the alleged sharing of photographs taken at the sites of sudden deaths. This case is currently being heard.

The Family Protection Department said it informed the four families involved in one or both of the investigations following the sudden death of a loved one of their decisions.

PPS Assistant Director Martin Hardy said they will continue to communicate with the families involved as the separate prosecutions progress.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “The criminal investigation is being conducted by the Police Ombudsman.

It would be inappropriate to provide further comments at this time.

Solicitor Padraig Muerg, who is representing one of the families, said they welcomed the decision: “The families involved have been extremely frustrated by the delay in getting to this point.

“While they appreciate that some investigations are more complex than others, this investigation has been ongoing for a number of years.

“Similar cases in England, such as the trial of Metropolitan Police officers Deniz Affar and Jamie Lewis, who were jailed for two years after photographing the bodies of Nicole Smallman and Pippa Henry, progressed much faster.” In these cases, and I believe families and the wider public can expect these matters to progress as quickly as possible through the justice system.”

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