THE former head of serious crime at Cleveland Police, and one-time deputy head of Scotland Yard’s national drugs squad, has died aged 78.

Father-of-three and grandfather-of-four Derek Olley, who was born in Marske, joined the police force at Middlesbrough as a youngster, after coming under pressure from his mother to find a “proper job” while working as a butcher’s boy.

However, it was the start of a long and successful career, where he spent most of his time in CID, starting as constable and rising to Superintendent.

During the mid part of his service he was awarded a Home Office scholarship and obtained a BA Honours degree from Hull University.

As a student he backpacked overland to India and beyond, returning two months later and two stone lighter.

For a period he was head of Cleveland’s serious crimes branch and then spent three years at the National Drugs Unit, New Scotland Yard.

Mr Olley, who lived in Acklam, Middlesbrough, left London on promotion to Chief Superintendent and returned to Teesside, becoming Commander of Hartlepool Division, where he served until his retirement in 1986.

After his retirement from the force he worked for a further ten years with the Ministry of Defence’s army division, in national security, travelling to Germany, Hong Kong and Cyprus, where he lived with his wife Joan for a year.

He was a keen sportsman, playing cricket for Marske, Cargo Fleet, Blackhall and Middlesbrough, football for Marske United and rugby for Acklam and Middlesbrough, his adopted home town.

In 1972 joined Billingham Gold Club, becoming a keen competitor.

He held a single figure handicap for 25 years and president of the club for 30 years from 1985, and county president of Durham County Executive Committee since 2006.

He enjoyed travel, visiting the Far East, America and Asia, as well as travelling half way round the world on a Golden Anniversary cruise with Mrs Olley, whom he married in 1959, and also went on many golfing holidays.

Mr Olley also enjoyed listening to classical music and spending time with the “apples of his eye”, his grandchildren Curtis, Adam, Katie and Hannah.