TWO police officers accused of illegally selling firearms handed in by the public for safe disposal have admitted misconduct in a public office.

PC Maurice Allen, 47, and PC Damien Cobain, 42, who work for Durham Police, pleaded guilty to one charge each at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday.

Cobain, from Sunderland, who has been with the force for eight years, admitted misconduct as a police constable between January 1, 2004, and April 30, 2006.

Allen, of East Rainton, Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, who has served for almost 30 years, admitted misconduct between January 1, 1999, and April 30, 2006.

He is also facing 16 charges of theft, which remain outstanding, but no pleas have been entered.

Kingsley Hyland, prosecuting, said: “We need to look at whether the public interest will be served by continuing with the theft charges.”

John Elvidge, representing Allen, said: “It is a fairly complex case.”

No representations were made on behalf of Cobain.

Allen and Cobain, who are suspended from duty, worked in the firearms licensing section and roused suspicions among colleagues after a farmer told officers investigating a burglary in which a gun was stolen that he had bought it from the police.

They were investigated by the force’s professional standards department, under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission last year.

They were then arrested and interviewed before the charges against them were brought.

Judge David Hodson adjourned the case until February 26 and bailed both men.

They will be sentenced after reports have been prepared.