Samantha Halden-Evans, 36, and Jonathan Hill, 47, were snared following an investigation by anti-corruption officers while working at Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership.

A court heard the pair failed to process data so that drivers could avoid speeding penalties.

They conspired with each other between May 2019 and October 2020.

In addition, between August 2017 and February 2021, Halden-Evans also passed on information about whether certain speed cameras were active or not.

She also committed other data breaches, including one related to a murder investigation.

Their conspiracy came to light following a burglary in Cheshire in 2020 when detectives examined a mobile phone and found messages, which were traced back to Halden-Evans.

The pair pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Halden-Evans also admitted two counts of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

On Thursday, Halden-Evans, from Cheadle, was jailed for four years and two months.

Hill, from Newcastle, was jailed for 18 months.

Two members of the public, one of whom was in a relationship with Halden-Evans, admitted conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Wayne Riley, 41, from Cheadle, was jailed for two years and eight months, while Nikki Baker, 35, from Werrington, was sentenced to 10 months.

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Following the court case, Steve Noonan, director of operations at the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), said: "The offences committed by these two individuals amounted to very serious corruption.

"Such behaviour is a betrayal of the public's trust and undermines confidence in policing."

Halden-Evans resigned from Staffordshire Police in August 2021 prior to a disciplinary hearing, and Hill was dismissed from the force following a hearing in December 2021.

Deputy Chief Constable Jon Roy said: "The vast majority of our officers and staff conduct themselves professionally and work tirelessly to protect the public.

"We expect the highest levels of honesty and integrity from all of our officers and staff and anyone who falls below these standards will be held to account."