Police photographer in fraud case

Mr Grant is understood to have left the PSNI's photography unit

A police photography boss allegedly swindled the PSNI out of more than £120,000 in overtime and mileage claims, a court has heard.

Fergus Grant, 40, a civilian member of staff from Orangefield Avenue, Belfast, faces a total of eight charges.

These also include having counterfeit currency, submitting fraudulent tax returns worth more than £33,000 and stealing equipment worth £13,000.

The case has been adjourned until next month.

Mr Grant spoke at Belfast Magistrates Court only to confirm he understood the alleged offences against him.

A detective constable told the court he believed he could connect him with the offences, which are believed to taken place over a six year-period dating back to January 2001.

Mr Grant who ran day-to-day operations at the PSNI's photography department based in Knocknagoney, Belfast, is understood to have now left the unit.

False overtime

Between November 2004 and February 2007, he is alleged to have stolen £123,353 from the PSNI by submitting false overtime, mileage, subsistence and travel claims.

He was also charged with dishonestly obtaining another £33,428 from HM Revenue and Customs by putting in fraudulent income tax and VAT returns between 2002 and 2006.

The alleged camera equipment theft was said to have happened in March this year, the court was told.

Other charges against him included copyright infringements by making 1,449 counterfeit DVDs between January 2001 and December 2006, and distribution between the same dates.

Mr Grant was also accused of making or supplying articles for use in frauds. This allegedly involved vehicle insurance certificates, bank statements, car park tickets, certificates of secondary education, degree certificates and an electricity bill.