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.
#NEWS | A former GMP officer who pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images of children has been sacked.
Thomas Woods was dismissed without notice by Chief Constable Stephen Watson at a misconduct hearing on 14/2/2023.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
“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
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
15th February 2023 
