A West Midlands Police Community Support Officer has today (Friday 1 August) been jailed for abusing his position by carrying out illegal searches on force IT systems and leaking confidential information to a convicted drug dealer.
Andrew Thompson, who served as a PCSO in Sandwell and before that as a special constable, was sent to prison for two years at Stafford Crown Court after admitting giving sensitive intelligence over a 12 month period to a woman he had a relationship with, along with her husband.
Marie Parkes, aged 52, together with Barry Parkes, aged 59, both from Weston Drive, Tipton, met with Thompson at a pub in the town numerous times to obtain the information, which they then passed to Brian Baker, aged 57, from Royal Oak Road, Rowley Regis, in exchange for cash.
Baker, a convicted drug dealer and former school friend of Barry Parkes, was supplied with information including intelligence logs, custody images and personal details about people involved in criminality across the West Midlands.
The court heard that Thompson, who became a PCSO in January 2009, began a relationship with Marie Parkes and was repeatedly tasked by her and her husband to provide details, which he obtained from restricted police IT systems.
His illegal use of IT was exposed after a proactive investigation by the force’s Counter Corruption Unit and Thompson was arrested in October 2013 when officers saw him handing over information at the Parkes’ home address which was then later given to Brian Baker at a local pub.
Thompson, aged 43, from Charter Road, Tipton, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at an earlier court hearing and will now face internal gross misconduct proceedings.
Brian Baker, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, was sentenced to two years and eight months − which he will serve on top of a seven year jail term he’s already serving for drugs offences.
Marie Parkes was found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office following an eight day trial and was handed a two year suspended sentence. Barry Parkes, who was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, was sentenced to two years and three months.
Detective Inspector Tracey McGrath, from the force’s Counter Corruption Unit said the force demanded the upmost integrity and professionalism for all its officers and staff.
“Thompson abused his position as a PCSO and believed he could pass information to a friend in the criminal fraternity − but our dedicated team of Counter Corruption Unit officers, whose job it is to uncover any misconduct, found him out.
“As soon as he was suspected of acting improperly an investigation was launched which resulted in his arrest and suspension from duty; he’ll now face an internal hearing following criminal proceedings.”
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PCSO jailed for leaking confidential information to criminals
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