NEWS > 24 November 2005

Article sourced from

Norfolk Eastern Daily Press -
24 November 2005

This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.

Policeman, lover face joint se

A police officer will be sentenced alongside his married lover after she was found guilty today of perverting the course of justice.

Sally Gent, 39, attempted to use her relationship with PC Andrew Reid to her advantage when she was caught shoplifting at a supermarket, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Reid, 44, had already pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Gent, of Chestnut Avenue, Spixworth, near Norwich, denied the same charge, but was found guilty by a jury today.

During the trial, the court heard Reid was having an affair with married Gent who attempted to use their relationship to her advantage when she was caught stealing items worth more than �100 from Safeway in Cromer.

Reid, now of Enfield, Middle-sex, was said to have carried out a �sham� interview with Gent and allowed her to give false details so she would escape having a police record.

Nicholas Syfred, prosecuting, told the court Reid went to the store after Gent was caught by the store detective trying to take more goods from the supermarket in her trolley without paying.

He said Gent was �thoroughly uncooperative and dismissive� and would not help them identify what the stolen items were.

When the store made it clear it would prosecute, Reid took Gent to a room alone and allowed her to provide false details on a civil recovery form, he said.

She was asked to report to Cromer police station the next day. Again, Reid conducted a short, taped interview alone with her.

In that statement she said her name was Fields, a name she had never used in her life, said Mr Syfred.

He said the deception only came to light when Reid took time off sick.

Reid had been asked to return the tape of the interview to the library, but it was found in his locker at Aylsham police station. He and Gent were arrested on November 18 last year.

Judge Peter Jacobs today adjourned the case for pre-sentence reports and said the pair would be sentenced together at a later date.

Speaking afterwards, Det Insp Dale Cooper, of Norfolk Police Anti-Corruption Intelligence Unit, said: �Reid has admitted to abusing his position as a police officer following an investigation by the Professional Standards Anti-Corruption and Integrity Unit.

�He abused his position of authority in attempting to assist Sally Gent to escape justice when she was caught shoplifting.

�Corruption of this type undermines not only the police service but the whole criminal justice system.

�It can have a demoralising effect on all staff working within the justice system, the vast majority of whom display the highest level of integrity and professionalism at all times.

�It is recognised that corrupt practice or unacceptable behaviour by the smallest minority of police officers or police staff can have a disproportionate negative impact on the reputation of the force.

�This case demonstrates the commitment of the constabulary to deal robustly with any cases of corruption.�

EiP Comments:

* We have no wish to infringe the copyright of any newspaper or periodical. If you feel that we have done so then please contact us with the details and we will remove the article. The articles republished on this site are provided for the purposes of research , private study, criticism , review, and the reporting of current events' We have no wish to infringe the copyright of any newspaper , periodical or other works. If you feel that we have done so then please contact us with the details and where necessary we will remove the work concerned.

Other related articles:

Article sourced from

Norfolk Eastern Daily Press -24 November 2005

Policeman, lover face joint se

EiP Comments:

Norfolk Eastern Daily Press -
24 November 2005