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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Jessica Murray

Ex-police officer jailed for 20 weeks over racist WhatsApp messages

James Watts WhatsApp Police George Floyd West Mercia
James Watts pictured outside Birmingham magistrates court last month.
James Watts outside Birmingham magistrates court last month. Photograph: Matthew Cooper/PA

A former police constable has been jailed for 20 weeks after sending a string of racist WhatsApp memes, including images that mocked the death of George Floyd.

James Watts was serving with West Mercia police in 2020 when he shared the “grossly offensive” material in a group chat, which included former colleagues at a Warwickshire prison.

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