Former Police Officer Jailed for Misconduct

Lorna Pennycook, a 38-year-old police officer, has been sentenced to four years in prison for misconduct in public office after sharing sensitive police information with her boyfriend, Anthony Kennedy, a convicted criminal. From 2017 to 2021, Pennycook illegally accessed police systems to provide Kennedy with intel about him, his vehicles, and local crime, which included details about two major thefts he was involved in. Despite Kennedy's 18 previous convictions, including vehicle theft, Pennycook became infatuated with him after meeting on a dating site in 2016 and even attempted to deter him from ending the relationship by declaring her acceptance of his criminal past. The court heard that her actions potentially jeopardized ongoing police investigations, and Pennycook admitted to deleting their communications and requested a burner phone for covert contact. Following her arrest, she claimed to be in fear of Kennedy, who also received a four-year sentence for his role in the misconduct. The case highlights severe breaches of trust within law enforcement and the consequences of such actions on public safety.