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South Wales policemen Stephen Phillips and Jason Evans jailed | South Wales policemen Stephen Phillips and Jason Evans jailed |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two South Wales Police officers have been jailed after being caught stealing in an undercover sting by their own force. | Two South Wales Police officers have been jailed after being caught stealing in an undercover sting by their own force. |
Det Sgt Stephen Phillips stole £250 cash and Det Con Jason Evans took two pens, Cardiff magistrates heard. | |
The pair were found out when colleagues staged a fake undercover operation at a house in Neath. | The pair were found out when colleagues staged a fake undercover operation at a house in Neath. |
Evans, 44, from Cilfrew, was jailed for 12 weeks while Phillips, 45, from Skewen, received 22 weeks. | Evans, 44, from Cilfrew, was jailed for 12 weeks while Phillips, 45, from Skewen, received 22 weeks. |
Both men face fast-track dismissal proceedings and are expected to lose their police pensions. | Both men face fast-track dismissal proceedings and are expected to lose their police pensions. |
District Judge Bodfan Jenkins said: "The public expect and is entitled to expect the highest level of trust in police officers. | District Judge Bodfan Jenkins said: "The public expect and is entitled to expect the highest level of trust in police officers. |
"Both of you fell seriously short of that expectation. | "Both of you fell seriously short of that expectation. |
"Your behaviour was breathtakingly arrogant. You thought your rank, experience and authority would protect you. | "Your behaviour was breathtakingly arrogant. You thought your rank, experience and authority would protect you. |
"The amounts were not large. In the case of you Evans, it was infinitesimal but the significance of the act far outweighs the cost." | "The amounts were not large. In the case of you Evans, it was infinitesimal but the significance of the act far outweighs the cost." |
The Neath-based officers were in a team investigating organised crime and the force carried out an "intelligence-led integrity test" on them. | The Neath-based officers were in a team investigating organised crime and the force carried out an "intelligence-led integrity test" on them. |
It pretended it had been asked by Greater Manchester Police to investigate a property allegedly linked to a series of burglaries. | It pretended it had been asked by Greater Manchester Police to investigate a property allegedly linked to a series of burglaries. |
The house contained "evidence" including Viagra, mobile phones, watches and £21,647 in cash. | The house contained "evidence" including Viagra, mobile phones, watches and £21,647 in cash. |
Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said: "Phillips was filmed putting his hand inside a coat pocket and finding £240. | Prosecutor Andrew Kendall said: "Phillips was filmed putting his hand inside a coat pocket and finding £240. |
"He removes his hand and leaves the scene - but then returns 20 seconds later when he removes the cash and places it in his pocket." | "He removes his hand and leaves the scene - but then returns 20 seconds later when he removes the cash and places it in his pocket." |
Phillips also took £10 from a bedside table. All the notes were marked with invisible ink. | Phillips also took £10 from a bedside table. All the notes were marked with invisible ink. |
Evans was filmed going into the bedroom and taking two pens during the raid last month. | Evans was filmed going into the bedroom and taking two pens during the raid last month. |
The court heard Phillips claimed he was going to return the money to the woman who lived at the house - who he did not realise was an undercover detective. | The court heard Phillips claimed he was going to return the money to the woman who lived at the house - who he did not realise was an undercover detective. |
The pair both pleaded guilty to theft. | The pair both pleaded guilty to theft. |
Evans had served as an officer for 19 years and Phillips for 26 years. Both have been commended in the past. | Evans had served as an officer for 19 years and Phillips for 26 years. Both have been commended in the past. |
Catrin Evans, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said officers "abused a position of trust". |
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