Operation Jetstream concerned a Ugandan High Court Judge (Lydia Mugambe) studying Human Rights law in the UK on a student visa, conspiring with a Diplomat to breach UK immigration law by misleading her former Maid in Uganda into believing she would work for the diplomat legitimately, but actually trafficking her to the UK and then holding her in servitude at her own home address. The Maid eventually ran away and reported to Police. The Judge, who in the course of the investigation was appointed as a United Nations Judge, proceeded to commit a further offence of conspiracy to intimidate a witness by instructing associates in Uganda to make approaches to the victim’s family in order that she be influenced into withdrawing her evidence and the case collapsing. The Diplomat would not waiver immunity from prosecution but was withdrawn from the UK. The Police investigation team secured a charge and remand of the Judge in relation to initial matters in order to try and mitigate risk to the victim’s family in Uganda whilst the conspiracy to intimidate the victim and pervert the course of justice was progressed.

 

Due to Custody time limits, the investigation team were under significant time pressure to examine the devices and recover relevant evidence prior to trial. A significant amount of the material would also require interpretation. The Judge asserted that her mobile phone contained legally privileged material in respect of communications with her defence team. The United Nations subsequently confirmed that her laptop would contain UN material which is afforded an inviolability of its own and that even Special Counsel, instructed to complete an LPP review, would be able to access or review the device. This complexity therefore presented considerable disclosure issues and logistical difficulties for the investigation team.

 

MD5 were instructed, collected exhibits and uploaded material to their secure digital e-disclosure platform.

 

Sufficient evidence was adduced for an additional charge to be added to the indictment and the Judge was convicted of all matters in March 2025.

 

As the lead investigator I found MD5 staff incredibly helpful and accommodating. They understood the unique time pressures and worked hard to make material, access and support available to those who needed it at very short notice. They provided the necessary training to those utilising the platform and made themselves available when last minute clarity on a number of matters was required. MD5 have also been proactive in checking and updating the number of licences (accesses) required at any one time to minimise maintenance costs.

 

Whilst in this particular case we had only a small number of devices to review and MD5 has the capacity to manage much more considerable investigations in respect of volume, it would have been very difficult to manage the review of the devices and the complex disclosure issues to the satisfaction of all interested parties in this case if we had not utilised the MD5 platform.

 

An invaluable service in this case for which we are very grateful.

Detective Inspector James Holden-White, Thames Valley Police.