The family of a retired police officer from Wales have explained why they decided to share vile messages they discovered on his phone after his death.
Fifty-two-year-old Ricky Jones took his life two years ago - but following his death, his family discovered numerous racist, homophobic and misogynistic messages on his phone, which they decided to make public.
In the messages, Jones, who had been an officer with Gwent Police until his retirement, had discussed sexual harassment of junior female colleagues, as well as making racist and homophobic comments.
The messages were shared in The Sunday Times three weeks ago.
And in an interview with Sky, his widow said that Jones had been abusive during their relationship.
The pair met when Sharon [not her real name] was 19 and married five years later. They had three children together.
Sharon said Jones would dictate their entire lives - including what they ate and how much toilet paper they could use.
She told Sky she was left feeling ‘trapped’ and even after she once plucked up the courage to contact the police, Jones told her it would be no use.
Speaking to Wales Online, she said: “I remember one day going to him and telling him that I was going to report him to the police. He came downstairs the next day, because I always slept on the sofa, and told me 'don't bother going into the police station because I've been in and I sorted it.
"I've been and I've told them to expect you coming in and not to believe the words you say'.”
Sharon added: “I felt that he'd always got the upper hand, that he could always outsmart me and always do something to me.”
Sharon and her daughter are now calling for a public enquiry and also for authorities to create a new body that can work with people who are being abused by police officers.
Sharon told Sky: "I believe I'm not the only one.
"There must be lots and lots of women out there that want to do something and are too frightened… it could be a woman in Scotland, it could be a woman in Liverpool, it could be somebody who is suffering the same as me out there."
An investigation into the allegations surrounding Gwent Police was launched earlier this year.
The force told Wales Online it can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.
A spokesperson said: "We continue to be horrified by the allegations that have emerged to date. We are committed to taking action and we have suspended four officers and placed another officer on restricted duties.
"The IOPC are now leading on the investigation, and we are therefore unable to comment further on the ongoing matter."
LADbible has also approached Gwent Police for comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, call Refuge’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit their website here. In an emergency always dial 999.
Featured Image Credit: Family Handout
Claire Reid