This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-41312850

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Guilty Bedfordshire police officer investigated his own blackmail Guilty Bedfordshire police officer investigated his own blackmail
(about 1 hour later)
A detective who blackmailed a prostitute's customer found himself investigating his own crime, a court has heard.A detective who blackmailed a prostitute's customer found himself investigating his own crime, a court has heard.
Gareth Suffling, 35, photographed the customer, found his details using the Police National Computer and then left a note demanding £1,000 to keep quiet.Gareth Suffling, 35, photographed the customer, found his details using the Police National Computer and then left a note demanding £1,000 to keep quiet.
The crime was investigated by Suffling's own squad, Bedfordshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit.The crime was investigated by Suffling's own squad, Bedfordshire Police's Serious Organised Crime Unit.
He admitted blackmail and was sentenced earlier to 18 months in prison.He admitted blackmail and was sentenced earlier to 18 months in prison.
He also admitted misconduct in a public office.He also admitted misconduct in a public office.
'Perversion above family''Perversion above family'
Suffling claimed he had wanted to help a vulnerable woman after seeing images of the Ipswich sex workers killed in 2006 in a police presentation, St Albans Crown Court heard.Suffling claimed he had wanted to help a vulnerable woman after seeing images of the Ipswich sex workers killed in 2006 in a police presentation, St Albans Crown Court heard.
The 35-year-old, of Barton-Le-Clay in Bedfordshire, visited an adult escort website and contacted the prostitute to see where she worked.The 35-year-old, of Barton-Le-Clay in Bedfordshire, visited an adult escort website and contacted the prostitute to see where she worked.
Having photographed the victim entering the prostitute's caravan in Luton for 15 minutes on 16 March, Suffling found his home and left a package containing photos and a letter.Having photographed the victim entering the prostitute's caravan in Luton for 15 minutes on 16 March, Suffling found his home and left a package containing photos and a letter.
Prosecutor Angus Robertson said the note demanded a payment of £1,000 and read: 'Do you really want the people closest to you to know about this? You put your perversion above your family".Prosecutor Angus Robertson said the note demanded a payment of £1,000 and read: 'Do you really want the people closest to you to know about this? You put your perversion above your family".
The court heard Suffling was invited to play a part in surveillance at the money drop off point.The court heard Suffling was invited to play a part in surveillance at the money drop off point.
The incriminating clueThe incriminating clue
His colleagues noted he was acting "strange", looking at his phone and drinking water excessively.His colleagues noted he was acting "strange", looking at his phone and drinking water excessively.
His crime came to light when Suffling was identified as having made the Police National Computer Inquiry on 17 March. His crime came to light when Suffling was identified as having made the Police National Computer inquiry on 17 March.
Suffling claimed the victim's car had been driven dangerously, but "suspicion fell on the defendant as dangerous driving inquiries would not normally be carried out by his unit", the prosecutor said.Suffling claimed the victim's car had been driven dangerously, but "suspicion fell on the defendant as dangerous driving inquiries would not normally be carried out by his unit", the prosecutor said.
Recorder Jeffrey Yearwood said he was "confident" he could dismiss the explanation Suffling, who had a history of financial problems, gave that it was "some altruistic act on his part".Recorder Jeffrey Yearwood said he was "confident" he could dismiss the explanation Suffling, who had a history of financial problems, gave that it was "some altruistic act on his part".
Mr Yearwood said: "It was an ugly crime. As a police officer you would have been well aware of the gravity of offences involved."Mr Yearwood said: "It was an ugly crime. As a police officer you would have been well aware of the gravity of offences involved."