Trial told detective had faced past investigation (From The Northern Echo)

Trial told detective had faced past investigation

11:30am Thursday 16th February 2012 in Middlesbrough News

A JURY has been told how a detective had been investigated for misusing the police database before he was arrested for using the system to make sure drug-dealing friends were not under surveillance.

Detective Sergeant Paul Thompson was reported to his superiors after passing information to traffic officers investigating a road accident involving his father-in-law in December 2005.

The Northumbria policeman asked a superior officer to use the national police computer to run checks on the other motorist and passed his findings to officers in Durham, who reported him for it.

Mr Thompson, 43, of Dipton, County Durham, is on trial for charges of misconduct in public office and drug dealing.

The matter was investigated by former Detective Chief Inspector Joan Atkin, who was in the professional standards department at the time.

Mrs Atkin, giving evidence at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday, said: “The allegations were unsubstantiated, mainly because he had the permission of his line manager at the time and the fact he had stressed in interview that he had accessed the computer for that purpose and no other purpose.”

The jury heard how a warrant card and a seven-digit password must be used to view certain police databases and access to certain systems is restricted.

Toby Hedworth QC, prosecuting said information from the computer system is confidential and must not be forwarded on to people not authorised to use the system.

Louise Silverton, the force’s solicitor, who specialises in information law, said: “There are warning signs at various stages when accessing the police system. They remind officers and staff of their obligations.”

Mr Thompson is accused as acting as the “eyes and ears” for his brother, Brian Thompson, 51, and his drug-dealing associates, Stephen Wood, 48, and David Wood, 52, who are brothers.

From left, Brian Thompson, Stephen Wood and David Wood

His wife, Susan Thompson, 44, a housing executive, is accused of supplying cocaine to friends.

Brian Thompson, of Thorneyford Place, Ponteland, Newcastle, Stephen Wood, of Thornhill Road, Ponteland, and David Wood, of Silver Lonnen, Fenham, Newcastle, have admitted conspiracy to supply a Class A drug, but deny conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.

Paul Thompson and Susan Thompson both deny conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Paul Thompson denies separate charges of misconduct in public office and cocaine possession. The charges date from January 2001 to February last year.

The trial continues.