Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Miswired Cables Led to False Child Abuse Accusations

10/21/2025

48 11

Summary

Story summary

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) found two wires in a BT street cabinet were crossed, causing three individuals to be wrongly accused of downloading child abuse images.
The accusations arose in 2016 and caused distress to their employment and personal lives in Dyfed-Powys, Wales.
Dyfed-Powys Police acted lawfully once the error was identified.
No compensation was awarded because they were never charged, and the offender was later prosecuted.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) found two wires in a BT street cabinet were crossed, causing three individuals to be wrongly accused of downloading child abuse images.
The accusations arose in 2016 and caused distress to their employment and personal lives in Dyfed-Powys, Wales.
Dyfed-Powys Police acted lawfully once the error was identified.
No compensation was awarded because they were never charged, and the offender was later prosecuted.