A POLICE officer who passed confidential information to a convicted drugs dealer is facing prison after being convicted of misconduct in public office.

Intelligence officer DC Gary Christie, 42, of Silksworth Lane, Sunderland, was found guilty of the offence between August 2012 and April 2014, following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Christie had been suspended from Northumbria Police since 12 May 2014.

He was found to have accessed police computer records for no legitimate purpose and supplied information to Aidan Dobbing 37, of Ryhope Grange Court, Sunderland.

A jury heard Dobbing was at the head of a significant cocaine dealing operation in Sunderland, involving kilos of the drug being brought to the region from the south.

At the time, they were in frequent telephone contact, playing football and socialising on a regular basis, even travelling abroad together, the court heard.

Christie was on the telephone to Dobbing as he made one of the computer searches.

The officer denied misconduct in public office and conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He was acquitted of the conspiracy.

Dobbing was convicted of aiding and abetting a person to commit misconduct.

Deputy Chief Constable, Winton Keenan said: “We condemn, completely, the actions of DC Christie.

"His behaviour demonstrates a complete disregard for what the vast majority of police officers stand for and is completely at odds with the ethics and values we expect in Northumbria Police.

"It is hugely disappointing that his appalling behaviour has not only let down the public, so badly, and also his colleagues.

“The public must be able to trust their public services and this case should send out the clear message that we will seek out and take swift, decisive action against anyone who abuses that trust.”

Judge Howard Crowson said he would pass sentence on both men on Thursday.