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Manchester police officer sacked after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children

"He will stand perpetually unforgiven by officers and staff whose acts of decency will be tainted."

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 15th February 2023

A former Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer has been sacked after pleading guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children.

Thomas Woods was a serving police officer in GMP’s Salford district when he was arrested in December 2021 after the force received reports and information about potential indecent images, and attended his home address and seized two phones and a laptop.

Following extensive forensic examination, GMP says it recovered over 1,000 indecent images – many of which showed sexual acts involving children – over a 10-year period.

Woods initially made no comment in interview, but went on to plead guilty to the offences at court, and was later sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on 28 July 2022 for being in possession of indecent images of children, making indecent images, possessing prohibited Images of children, and possession of extreme pornographic images.

He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, as well as being given a rehabilitation activity requirement, an unpaid work requirement, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years.

Woods was also told he must sign the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years, and was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

Now, GMP has confirmed he has been formally sacked from the police force.

Manchester police officer sacked after pleading guilty to possessing indecent images of children / Credit: David Dixon (via Geograph)

GMP said in a statement issued this week that Woods has been dismissed without notice by Chief Constable Stephen Watson at a misconduct hearing held at the Force Headquarters yesterday (14 February 2023).

Woods did not attend the hearing, but will also be placed on the College of Policing Barred List.

“It is a very powerful principle that officers should preserve public confidence and the seriousness of the misconduct found in terms of professional behaviour means he has been dismissed without notice,” CC Watson said of the decision to sack the former officer.

“Woods has committed very serious criminal offences. His acts were deliberate, unforced and unlawful, and also morally reprehensible. He brings the profession into disrepute and damages the confidence the public has in police officers.

“We have to maintain public confidence and this will, of course, diminish that due the level of seriousness.

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“Woods’ conduct could not be further removed from what a police officer should be.

“He is a sexual offender and completely forfeited the trust of the public. He will stand perpetually unforgiven by officers and staff whose acts of decency will be tainted.”

Featured Image – Flickr

News

You can stay in an aircraft, helicopter or old school bus at this glamping pod near Manchester

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia Cool glamping spots near Greater Manchester

There’s a glamping retreat near Manchester offering extraordinary stays in an aircraft, helicopter, old school bus and more.

Over in Blackpool at Manor House Glamping, there is a range of static vehicles that you can have an overnight stay or two in, and according to the pictures on its website, there’s even a resident emu.

You can stay in various modes of transport, such as an aircraft, an iconic yellow school bus, a campervan or a military green truck.

Each has its own perks ranging from a hot tub, outdoor bath, fire pit, sandpit and more. Whatever type of getaway or retreat you’re looking for, you’ll find everything you need right here.

glamping blackpool
sleep in a school bus north west
Credit: Manor House Glamping

The most eye-catching of the company’s stays is certainly the aircraft, which has kept its original cockpit features, although it’s safe to say the interior has definitely had a makeover.

There’s no such thing as a bad in-flight experience with this guest house, as you can get cocktails delivered to the cockpit after taking a dip in your own personal hot tub – not too shabby, eh?

With the bright and unmissable yellow school bus, there are plenty of decorations that help continue this theme in the form of various American road signs, one of which acts as your headboard for the night.

If you’re after a more toned-down chance to unwind, you can step into a pale-white camper van with cosy cushions and a snug haystack-turned-sofa adorned with some gorgeous blankets.

Say less.

staycation in an aircraft
glamping north west
You can see the full gallery HERE.

And if you’re looking at going all out, then your Manor House Glamping accommodation of choice has to be the chopper, which was once used by the Royal Navy.

Worried this option might be a tad nippy? Fear not, because this helicopter is fully kitted out to suit your glamping needs with two fluffy-lined cushions on each seat of this vintage heli.

This glamping company has even been recommended by one of the most trusted hotel review sites around, Tripadvisor, which awarded the increasingly popular site with their coveted Travellers’ Choice Award earlier this year.

Besides a big screen and lawnchairs, you could argue there’s also some other alternative entertainment.

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Anyone who experiences cabin fever, fear not, because all the aircraft and vehicles are static and aren’t planning on making a long-haul journey anytime soon, you’ll still be able to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

Manor House Glamping has a variety of vehicle-themed guest houses, both old and new, for you to stay in overnight and if you’re interested or after any further information.

You can find everything you need HERE.

If you fancy staying within the boundaries of Greater Manchester but still fancy getting the feel for a cockpit, though, there’s a very fun day out over at Barton’s City Airport.

You can now feel what it’s like to pilot a 747 at Barton Aerodrome’s incredible flight simulator
You could always consider this a test flight of sorts before potential glamping near Manchester.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images – Supplied via Manor House Glamping

News

More than 100 ‘unsafe’ counterfeit Labubus seized in Oldham

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 104 counterfeit Labubus have been seized

More than 100 counterfeit Labubus and accessories have been seized in Oldham, the council has announced.

The Labubu dolls – a plush collectible with giant smiles and bunny ears – have been seized because they are fake, and unsafe.

The haul of 104 Labubus has been given a street value of between £800 and £1000 – but if they were the real deal, they’d be worth more than three times as much.

The poorly-made figures were being sold for a fraction of the price of a real Labubu, which are manufactured by Chinese company Pop Mart (it’s set to open its second Manchester store in the Trafford Centre next week).

Oldham Council’s Trading Standards team said it seized the counterfeit Labubus from local businesses and found that they were unsafe and poorly made.

Officers raised concerns about the safety of the dolls, which had small parts such as eyes, hands and feet broke off easily, creating a choking hazard.

What a genuine Labubu should look like. Credit: The Hoot Leeds

They were also missing legally required safety marks such as the CE or UKCA labels, and lacked the name and address of a UK supplier, which is another legal requirement.

Councillor Elaine Taylor, Oldham Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Licensing, said: “Oldham Trading Standards carries out regular checks to help keep unsafe products off the shelves. In this case, these counterfeit toys failed safety standards and have now been removed from sale.

“We know it can be tempting to buy toys that look like a bargain, but parents need to be extra careful. Fake toys like these may be cheaper, but they can put children in real danger if they’re not made to strict safety standards.

“If anyone has concerns about toys they’ve purchased, or if they see unsafe products on sale locally, we’d encourage them to get in touch with Trading Standards through the Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.”

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Featured image: Oldham Council

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