Ex-Pc escapes jail over cannabis

A former Metropolitan Police officer who stole cannabis from a police station has escaped a jail sentence.

Paul Smith, 33, admitted stealing the Class C drug repeatedly while posted at Holborn police station, central London. He told Southwark Crown Court he stole the drug for personal use as he was trying to cope with his father's death and stress at work.

Smith, of Nether Street, Finchley, north London, was given a six-month jail term suspended for 12 months.

He pleaded guilty to eight counts of stealing cannabis and two of possessing the drug between last April and January this year.

Your behaviour has brought disgrace on you, your family, your friends and the police force which you obviously served extremely well Recorder Philip Bartle QC

The married father-of-one resigned from his job after he was caught.

Smith said he initially bought drugs from street traders but decided to steal from the station for fear of being blackmailed.

He was caught on CCTV surveillance and an invisible dye on a bag of cannabis identified him.

Recorder Philip Bartle QC told him: "As somebody who was a police officer, you will know only too well that your behaviour has brought disgrace on you, your family, your friends and the police force which you obviously served extremely well in all other respects apart from these offences."

Smith was spared jail as he admitted the offence and had stolen cannabis for personal use to overcome a personal suffering.

Smith was also ordered to complete 300 hours of unpaid work, would be subject to a year-long supervision order and told to pay £750 towards prosecution costs.