Jail for former staff members who sought to expose gangland murder witness

Two former police staff members who trawled through more than 150 computer records to identify a protected murder witness have been jailed for five years. Lydia Lauro, 33, reportedly seduced 36-year-old Hayden Cheremeh to gain his help in accessing classified intelligence. The pair, both former designated detention officers with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), plotted to track down the witness to assist an appeal against the conviction of Leon de St Aubin, a killer and Lauro’s partner. Both were found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office at the Old Bailey on Friday (February 10). Detective Superintendent Tom Whorwood said: “This was a well-planned conspiracy to access highly confidential and sensitive information, which would have been of huge benefit to dangerous convicted criminals. “The public has the right to expect that personal information that police hold will be kept secure, and those who try to compromise this integrity will be vigorously pursued.” The scheme began after St Aubin and accomplice Rupert Ross were found guilty of the gangland execution of Darcy Austin-Bruce in 2011. An unnamed witness gave evidence against the killers while hidden behind screens and using voice protection. To track the witness down, Lauro took a job at Hammersmith police station on January 2012 while continuing to visit lover St Aubin in prison. Two months later, she made her first attempt to unlawfully access the MPS’ systems, but lacked the proper authorisation. She then enlisted the help of Chemereh, whose past work as a police community support officer meant he could access the records, and began a physical relationship with him. As preparations began for St Aubin’s appeal hearing, officers realised that classified information was being obtained. The MPS’ Anti-Corruption Command launched a full investigation, and Chemereh was arrested in May 2013 on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Lauro was arrested shortly afterwards for the same offence as she returned from a holiday. Diana Lank, the mother of Rupert Ross, was also arrested the same month on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. However, she was found not guilty on December 13 last year.