Finchley policeman avoids jail after stealing confiscated drugs

2:40pm Friday 4th July 2008

A former police officer from Finchley has avoided prison after admitting stealing drugs confiscated from suspects.

Paul Smith, 22, of Nether Street, was arrested in January on suspicion of stealing cannabis, which had been seized by police from a secure area in the custody suite at Holborn.

Following an internal police operation Smith was charged with eight counts of stealing cannabis and two of possessing the drug.

He has since resigned from his job.

He pleaded guilty to the ten charges on June 6 and was today sentenced to six months imprisonment suspended for 12 months, 300 hours community service and ordered to pay £750 costs at Southwark Crown Court.