BT Wiring Fault Wrongly Accuses Three of Child Abuse Image Crime
Three individuals faced serious allegations of downloading child abuse images due to a mix-up caused by a BT engineer’s wiring error. This incident occurred in 2016 and had significant ramifications for those wrongfully accused.
Details of the Case
The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) revealed that a technical fault in the wiring linked the real perpetrator’s internet activity to the address occupied by two men and a woman in Dyfed-Powys, Wales. Police searched their premises and seized electronic devices during the investigation.
- The claimants included two men and a woman.
- The location was described only as within Dyfed-Powys Police’s operational area.
- The actual offender lived nearby and was later identified and prosecuted.
Consequences of False Allegations
The false accusations had “highly distressing and far-reaching” effects on the three individuals. Each claimant had to disclose the allegations to their employers. The woman faced restrictions on her children living with her until she proved her innocence, while one man was put on restricted duties at work. The other man’s job offer was withdrawn entirely over the accusations.
Tribunal Findings
The IPT determined that Dyfed-Powys Police acted lawfully throughout the investigation and attributed the wrongful accusations solely to the wiring error by BT. The tribunal emphasized there was no police misconduct involved. A BT representative testified that two wires within a local street cabinet had been crossed, leading to the misattribution of the offending IP address.
Reactions and Responses
BT has been approached for comments regarding this case, which raises concerns about the accuracy of broadband wiring and its impacts on innocent people’s lives. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Dyfed-Powys Police expressed understanding of the distress experienced by the claimants and praised their cooperation during the investigation.
Despite the traumatic experience and its implications, the tribunal did not award compensation as the police actions were deemed lawful and necessary once the error was discovered.
