Detective jailed over card fraud

Salkeld "knowingly misled" the local authority over care costs

A senior detective found guilty of misusing police credit cards has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Det Ch Insp Peter Salkeld, 42, of Shoreham, was found guilty, after a five-week trial, of 11 charges relating to theft and deception.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the charges related to use of a Sussex Police force credit card, used to buy personal goods over a nine month period.

Sussex Police described Salkeld as "one greedy, dishonest individual".

During the trial, a jury heard how Salkeld, who has resigned from his role in the South East Regional Intelligence Unit, used the card to buy items including a mini fridge and a designer watch between June 2005 and February 2006.

'Truly repulsive'

He also took out a £1,100 grant from the Sussex Police Welfare Fund - usually used as a resource for widows and those injured in service - which he spent on caravanning equipment.

Judge Andrew Macdonald described it as a "truly repulsive offence".

Salkeld also dishonestly accepted five years' worth of payments from Brighton and Hove City Council, which were supposed to be paying for the care of elderly widow Eileen Savage.

He was cleared, however, of a further five counts of theft and obtaining property by deception, concerning dementia-sufferer Mrs Savage, 93, and the jury was dismissed after failing to reach a verdict over a further three charges of theft from her.

Mr Macdonald said that the total sum of £96,950.78, which Brighton and Hove City Council had spent on Mrs Savage's care between August 2001 and January 2006, should have been paid by Salkeld.

I don't believe for one minute that this reflects on Sussex Police Det Supt Steve Fowler, Sussex Police

He said he had "knowingly misled" the authority by saying he could not afford to pay for her care, as he had power of attorney over Mrs Savage's substantial estate.

During mitigation, defence barrister David Jubb said that Salkeld was unable to explain why he had committed the crimes.

Speaking afterwards, Det Supt Steve Fowler, of Sussex Police, who carried out the investigation, said the trial was "embarrassing" for the force.

"I don't believe for one minute that this reflects on Sussex Police. It reflects on one individual - one greedy, dishonest individual."

Judge Macdonald ordered an asset confiscation hearing to take place at a later date.