A UK police officer has been jailed for leaking confidential information to two criminals with whom she was romantically involved, after a kiss caught on CCTV exposed her misconduct.
Choni Kenny, 27, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison after admitting to a string of offences, including misconduct in a public office and conspiracy to commit misconduct.
The former Greater Manchester Police officer was dismissed earlier this month following an accelerated disciplinary hearing.
Kenny was caught on camera kissing inmate Josh Whelan, 28, during a visit to Forest Bank Prison in Salford—while still wearing her police uniform. The footage proved to be a key piece of evidence in uncovering a wider pattern of corruption and criminal behaviour.
Whelan, a convicted drug dealer, was later found to have 20 mobile phones in his possession—all supplied by Kenny, who maintained regular contact with him throughout his incarceration.
She also passed him sensitive police documents, including a victim impact statement in a case where he was accused of violence against a former partner.
Their relationship continued after Whelan’s release in 2022, with the pair spotted dining together and driving in Kenny’s BMW. She later used police databases to search for information about recently released prisoners.
After ending her relationship with Whelan, Kenny became involved with Rahim Mottley, 31, a former schoolmate under investigation by Greater Manchester Police who had relocated to Spain.
Despite his status as a wanted man, Kenny travelled to see Mottley and used police systems to access details of the investigation against him.
She even warned Mottley about an impending firearms raid and vowed to identify confidential informants, all while attending a police training course on handling informants.
Mottley was arrested by the National Crime Agency and extradited to the UK in October 2024. He was jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.
Whelan, meanwhile, was sentenced to two years and eight months for possessing illicit items in prison, possession of a knife, racially aggravated assault, threatening behaviour, and breaching bail conditions.
In court, Judge Nicholas Dean KC said Kenny’s actions were driven not by greed but by “naivety” and a misguided desire to maintain ties with Whelan and Mottley. “You were plainly exploited,” he said, “but you allowed yourself to be.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Mike Allen described Kenny’s behaviour as “serious corruption,” adding: “It is right that she now contemplates her future from behind bars.”
Chief Constable Stephen Watson echoed that sentiment, saying her betrayal of trust showed a “distinct lack of integrity, decency and moral fibre.”
“She does not represent the thousands of professional, honest, hard-working police officers across Greater Manchester who continue to protect the public every day,” he added.
