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Suspended terms for gun sale Pcs | Suspended terms for gun sale Pcs |
(about 21 hours later) | |
Two Durham police officers who sold on guns which had been handed in to the force for safe disposal have been given suspended prison sentences. | Two Durham police officers who sold on guns which had been handed in to the force for safe disposal have been given suspended prison sentences. |
Pc Maurice Allen, 47, and Pc Damien Cobain, 41, had admitted misconduct. | Pc Maurice Allen, 47, and Pc Damien Cobain, 41, had admitted misconduct. |
The pair were arrested in February 2009 when officers investigating a gun theft were told it had been bought from police. | The pair were arrested in February 2009 when officers investigating a gun theft were told it had been bought from police. |
Allen was sentenced to 51 weeks, which was suspended for two years, and Cobain to 40 weeks, suspended for 18 months. | Allen was sentenced to 51 weeks, which was suspended for two years, and Cobain to 40 weeks, suspended for 18 months. |
'Lax' measures | 'Lax' measures |
The pair were suspended from the force when the investigations began. | The pair were suspended from the force when the investigations began. |
It was conducted by Durham Police's professional standards department under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). | It was conducted by Durham Police's professional standards department under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). |
Allen, of Houghton le Spring, had nearly 29 years' police service, while Cobain, of Sunderland, had been with the force for eight years. | Allen, of Houghton le Spring, had nearly 29 years' police service, while Cobain, of Sunderland, had been with the force for eight years. |
In sentencing the pair, the judge at Newcastle Crown Court criticised the arrangements for gun registration that had been in place at Durham Constabulary. | In sentencing the pair, the judge at Newcastle Crown Court criticised the arrangements for gun registration that had been in place at Durham Constabulary. |
He described them as "extremely lax, if not chaotic". | He described them as "extremely lax, if not chaotic". |
Durham Police said it had since tightened up procedures. | Durham Police said it had since tightened up procedures. |
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