adam simmonds: former northamptonshire pcc and director of trinity life church in leicester charged by crown prosecution service

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. (Proverbs 10:9) 

Former Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds, has been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service with breaching the Data Protection Act.

"The Crown Prosecution Service announced the decision in a statement released on Friday afternoon.
A spokesperson said: 'After a thorough review of the evidence we have decided to charge Adam Simmonds with one offence of breaching the Data Protection Act 1998.
'The case met the test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors that there is a realistic prospect of a conviction and it is in the public interest.
'Mr Simmonds’ lawyers have been informed,' the statement added.
 No date has yet to be set for a court appearance."{1}

Adam Simmonds (Conservative) was elected in 2012 and was Northamptonshire's first Police and Crime Commissioner. The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigated claims that Simmonds breached the Data Protection Act by disclosing "sensitive" information relating to a criminal investigation to third parties in 2013 and committed an offence of misconduct in public office.{2} The IPCC has passed the findings of its inquiry to The Crown Prosecution Service. Simmonds did not stand for re-election in May of this year, though he denied the IPCC inquiry was the reason.

During his incumbency as PCC, Simmonds attracted many allegations/complaints relating to undemocratic actions. Amongst them were cronyism, abuse of power, lack of transparency, misconduct in public office, autocracy, massive overspending,{3} and not least, the very dubious role he played in the purchase of Wootton Hall.{4}

An unprecedented number of petitions were launched against Simmonds during his incumbency:

Do not accept the application for 'Wootton Park School' Northampton: https://www.change.org/p/department-for-education-do-not-accept-the-application-for-wootton-park-school-northampton

Investigation in to the appointment of Assistant Police & Crime Commissioners in Northamptonshire https://petition.parliament.uk/archived/petitions/47413

A vote of no confidence in Adam Simmonds, a man who puts his ego and media profile ahead of the people of Northamptonshire: https://www.change.org/p/david-cameron-sack-adam-simmonds-police-and-crime-commissioner-for-northamptonshire 

Vote of no confidence in Adam Simmonds PCC for Northamptonshire: https://www.change.org/p/police-crime-panel-northamptonshire-vote-of-no-confidence-in-adam-simmonds-pcc-for-northamptonshire 

Campaign group launches petition protest against plans to privatise Northamptonshire Police control centre: http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/campaign-group-launches-petition-protest-against-plans-to-privatise-northamptonshire-police-control-centre-1-7062015 

Hands Off Northamptonshire Police 999 Service! https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/hands-off-northamptonshire-police-999-service

My own particular bone of contention with Simmonds began when he removed two of my posts concerning Trinity Life Church (TLC) in 2014. {5} I still believe that he took this action illegally, though my attemps to ascertain the true facts of the matter were unsuccessful!

Simmonds, who claims to be a "Christian", is a former Director and Trustee of TLC in Leicester which is a Pentecostal Assemblies of God church. They profess biblical Christian values, though you would not notice! It is unclear whether Simmonds still attends TLC, but I believe his influence upon that congregation has been very damaging indeed. Having said that, had the leadership of TLC been true to the faith they profess, they would not have allowed Simmonds' worldly values to gain a foothold. What part Simmonds played in TLC's lottery funding for their Open Hands charity in November 2013 is unknown. Simmonds was a Director of Open Hands Trust from 2008-2012.{6}  I believe that TLC failed a very important test of faith when they allied themselves with Simmonds and all the temptations that association brought with it!

"The Open Hands Trust has been granted £446,626 after receiving support from Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) with their bid for Big Lottery Reaching Communities funding." Release date 12th of November 2013. {7} 

Ecumenist, Adam Simmonds has done much to bring true biblical Christianity into disrepute. We will possibly never know the full extent of the spiritual damage he has wreaked (1 Corinthians 4:5; Ecclesiastes 12:14). We should be very thankful that the controversial Northamptonshire Police Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) set up by Simmonds in January 2014 was very quickly wound down by Stephen Mold, Simmonds successor.{8}

Many in Northamptonshire regard Adam Simmonds as an experience they would rather forget, though his legacy continues. It will be good to see a little bit of justice, if indeed Simmonds is found guilty of the charge! A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Simmonds' first court hearing will be at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Tuesday, October 18.{9}

..... and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. (2 Peter 2:2)

UPDATE 18th October 2016

Callum Jones of the Daventry Express reported that Former Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds has appeared in court today accused of disclosing personal data about Wellingborough MP Peter Bone: 

"Simmonds, aged 39, of Northcote Road, Leicester, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (Tuesday) after he was charged with breaching the Data Protection Act.
The court heard Simmonds is alleged to have "knowingly or recklessly" disclosed personal data relating to Mr Bone between November 7, 2013 and May 1, 2014.

Mark Harries, defending for Simmonds, indicated that his client would plead not guilty to the charge and the case was sent to Southwark Crown Court.

The case will be heard at the Crown Court on November 15. Simmonds, who spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, was given unconditional bail."{10}

{1} http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-37322595
{2} http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-36114429
{3} http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-36279046
{4} http://www.rtaylor.co.uk/ipcc-police-crime-commissioner-complaints.html
{5} http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/adam-simmonds-director-trinity-life.html
{6} http://www.endole.co.uk/profile/9419628/adam-brian-keats-simmonds
{7} http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/trinity-life-church-leicester-going.html
{8} http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/controversial-faith-based-police-office-to-be-wound-down-1-7423881
{9} http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/former-northamptonshire-police-commissioner-to-face-magistrates-in-london-over-alleged-data-breach-1-7575820
{10} http://www.daventryexpress.co.uk/news/former-northants-police-and-crime-commissioner-accused-of-disclosing-mp-s-personal-data-1-7634735 

Further Links:
https://standfirminthelord.wordpress.com/tag/trinity-life-church-leicester/   
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/trinity-life-church-leicester-downhill.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/a-question-for-adam-simmonds-pcc.html  
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/council-to-consider-writing-off-1-65m-from-controversial-site-sale-1-7558286 
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/smell-rat-adam-simmonds-pcc.html