Gangster 'bribe' officer in court

Mr Rice was shot several times while sitting in his car

A police officer passed information to a wanted gangster in return for cash, drugs and call girls, a court heard.

Det Con John Jones is alleged to have taken £2,000 a week from Allan Foster, who is wanted for the murder of Tyneside drug dealer David Rice.

A jury was told the officer repeatedly accessed the Northumbria Police intelligence computer and passed on secret information about Foster.

The 48-year-old detective denies three counts of public misconduct.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting at Newcastle Crown Court, said Northumbria Police uncovered the link between their officer and Foster after Mr Rice's murder in 2006.

You may think Allan Foster had a taste for the high life, Detective Constable Jones liked the flavour as well. Prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC

Mr Hedworth said Foster, who was based in Sunderland and is now believed to be in Spain, used the information to stay one step ahead of the authorities.

He said on one occasion in April 2006 Jones and Foster travelled from the North East to London's West End, where they visited nightclubs, hired call girls and snorted cocaine.

The prosecutor said: "You may think Allan Foster had a taste for the high life - submit the Crown, Detective Constable Jones liked the flavour as well.

"What, you may ask yourself, was this Northumbria Police officer doing to be rewarded in such a way by a man who he will have known to be an active professional criminal."

The pair met at a gym in Seaham, County Durham, which was owned by Bruce McCall - a friend of the officer.

Mr McCall, 42, denies one count of aiding and abetting public misconduct, and counts relating to the importation, supply and possession of illegal steroids.

The trial continues.