A POLICE detective has been warned it would be “justified” to dismiss him after he arranged a pay-off to a pub landlord who was burgled by one of his relatives.

Detective Constable Mark Casey of Cleveland Police was found to have carried out “serious breaches that amounted to gross misconduct” after ‘meddling” in an investigation involving one of his relations.

During his misconduct hearing at the force’s headquarters in Ladgate Lane, Middlesbrough, he was accused of “trashing” Cleveland Police’s public image as well as as well as having an “unhealthy interest in the job”.

One of DC Casey's relatives was involved in the theft of four bottles of spirits, worth more than £250, from the Miners Arms, in Eston, Middlesbrough last year.

The relative sent a message via Facebook to the wife of the pub’s landlord asking why the police had got involved, which made the landlord “irate” that the information had been leaked.

Having noted the landlord “just wanted the money”, DC Casey then arranged for the suspects to pay the landlord.

The criminal proceedings were subsequently dropped after the suspects “turned up out of the blue with the money”.

Susan Monaghan, chair of the panel, said DC Casey, who had already received an informal warning during his time at Cleveland Police, passed on "sufficient evidence" to his relative.

“DC Casey received management advice in 2012 which should have been in his mind.

“He disclosed confidential information about a crime and he provided information to relative about payment.

“He has undermined public confidence in the force by gaining information for personal reason.

“I accept his actions weren’t malicious and it was emotionally driven, but there were clear warning signs to him.

“He sought to influence the case for his preferred outcome."

Stephen Morley, representing the force, said DC Casey "must be dismissed".

"He cannot continue to serve in any role – what do you do with an officer with a finding like this?

“Backroom jobs should be for people who deserve them.

“He disclosed information to a suspect in a criminal case – that is a grave betrayal of trust.

“The public must be able to have confidence that there calls will be dealt with confidentially.

“These hearings are to maintain public confidence and this is a serious threat."

During his evidence, DC Casey said he wanted to get his relative to come to the police station and not be arrested at home due to “family matters”, before adding he made a “wrong decision for the right reasons”.

“In hindsight I would have dealt with it differently,” he said.

DC Casey’s fate will be learnt today.