Sergeant denies theft accusation

Sgt Eirwyn Pritchard denies stealing police cleaning materials

A former anti-terrorist police officer has denied stealing cleaning materials and toilet paper from his police station in north Wales.

Sgt Eirwyn Pritchard, 47, was cleared of three of the 17 charges he faces at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday.

The judge said it could not be shown that three of the items he was alleged to have stolen were owned by police.

Sgt Pritchard, 47, of Old Colwyn, who denies all charges, told the jury: "I have never been a thief in my life."

Questioned directly by his barrister Roderick Priestley, the sergeant denied being a thief and said: "I know for a fact that I have not stolen any of those items".

The prosecution claim Sgt Pritchard stole over a three-year period, when based at Llangefni and later at Holyhead port, on Anglesey.

They said he had access to a store at Gwalchmai police station where cleaning materials were kept.

Toilet cleaning blocks

The jury has heard officers went to his former matrimonial home in April last year after a complaint by his ex-wife, Emma Pritchard.

They found a policeman's helmet, cleaning wipes, air fresheners, washing-up liquid, oven spray, batteries, toilet cleaning blocks, multi-purpose polish, a cream cleaner, three mop heads, a pack of toilet rolls, two electricity time controls, a mop and bucket, a glass cleaner, and three sponge cloths.

Mr Recorder Robert Trevor-Jones agreed it could not be shown that the washing up liquid, oven spray and cleaning cloths were owned by police and cleared the sergeant of three charges.

The defendant told the court he had taken the police helmet home so that his new baby daughter could be photographed inside it.

He said he intended to return it to the station but shortly after left home.

Sgt Pritchard said he had returned to north Wales where he met his former wife after serving with the Metropolitan anti-terrorist squad.

But the marriage did not work out, he left a number of times, and received a series of abusive text messages and calls.

He said his ex-wife had tried to get him into trouble in other ways by writing to the tax man saying he had not paid tax, when he was owed £300.

She also left a box of ashes on his doorstep with a letter, and she falsely reported him for drink-driving.

Mrs Pritchard, from Llandudno, used the phrase "he who laughs last laughs longest" in a text.

Then in a letter and text she wrote "well, I have got a big surprise for you" shortly before the sergeant was arrested, the court heard.

His boss, Special Branch Det Insp Nigel Harrison told the jury he was the best sergeant he had and he had never had any reason to question his integrity or professional and ethical standing.

The jury retires on Thursday.