10:00pm Monday 15th March 2010
By Bruce Unwin
A TRIAL is to proceed of a policewoman accused of stealing items of clothing which were destined to be discarded or destroyed.
The Crown Prosecution Service intends to pursue the case involving Julie Hays, a detective constable with the Northumbria force, despite a judge questioning if it is in the public interest.
Ms Hays, formerly known as Drummond-Milne, is accused of taking two jackets and two pairs of shoes, said to be worth £1,459 when new, from a police car on July 21 last year.
She denied a charge of theft at a previous hearing at Durham Crown Court, but Judge Christopher Prince asked prosecutor Paul Newcombe to outline the basis of the case.
The court was told the shoes and jackets were among items of property recovered in the wake of a murder investigation and were to have been taken to be "binned".
Mr Newcombe told Judge Prince today that, having consulted senior crown prosecutors, it was decided to continue with the case.
"On the facts of the case those instructing me have considered all the criteria for bringing a case has properly been brought."
Judge Prince said: "The Crown has decided they will prosecute an officer for 'intercepting' items going to the incinerator so others could use them.
"I can't tell the prosecution what to do. The value of this property is presumably zero, that's why they were going to be incinerated.
"It will mean bringing all the officers off-duty to give evidence, and that's in the public interest?
"That's a matter for the prosecution."
Mr Newcombe replied: "That's my instruction."
The case was, therefore, adjourned for a trial of up to four days which will be presided over by Judge Prince.
Ms Hays, who is suspended from her role in the Northumbria Police crime department, was bailed to return for the trial, starting on July 6.
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