A DETECTIVE who gave top-secret police information to a feared mob boss has been jailed for five years.

Because Detective Constable John Jones was the "eyes and ears" of Allan Foster, 32, the mobster knew he was untouchable by the law.

Their corrupt and unlikely friendship was exposed when Foster was named prime suspect in the murder of David 'Noddy' Rice, 42, who was gunned down in a South Shields car park in 2006.

The murder inquiry team quickly learned Foster had bragged about having a cop on side - and their investigations soon led to Jones.

Jones hampered the murder investigation by failing to tell the inquiry team anything of relevance he knew about Foster.

Foster is still wanted for the murder of the dad-of-seven and an international warrant has been issued for his immediate arrest.

Jones, 48, of Seaham, County Durham, had denied misconduct in public office but was found gulty by a jury after a nine week trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Jurors in the trial were told how just weeks before the killing of Mr Rice the gangster had treated Jones to a swanky night out in London.

During their time in the capital the pair stayed at Foster's rented mews house in Kensington and during a chaueffeur driven night out visited exclusive clubs and bars, including Stringfellows.

It has been claimed Foster, who also supplied Jones with cocaine and call girls during the trip, blew £10,000 in one weekend.

The drug lord ceased contact with Jones on April 30 2006 when his house was raided over the theft of a £100,000 diamond ring and Jones failed to tip him off as the information had not been entered onto the police computer in time.

Judge Esmond Faulks jailed Jones, who resigned from Northumbria Police after the allegations against him were made, for five years.

The judge told him: "You used your privileged position as a police officer not just to access the criminal intelligence system about him but, as the jury have found, pass onto him sensitive police information.

"You also failed to enter into the police system any information about Allan Foster, such as his London address and his telephone number.

"That was even after it was clear to you Mr Foster was prinicpal suspect in a murder.

"You also abused your position as a police officer by allowing yourself to be extravagantly entertained on a night in London by Mr Foster.

"We are fortunate in this country to have a police force which people trust.

"When a police officer abuses that public trust as you did a prison sentence is inevitable."

Jones, who had swapped his smart suits for a casual jumper and jeans for the sentencing hearing, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed.

He waved to his supporters in te public gallery as he was led away by security officers to start his sentence.

Gym owner Bruce McCall, 42, was jailed for 15 months for the importation and supply of class c drugs.

The drugs were growth hormones used by body builders which presented a risk of sudden death through cardiac arrest if taken in bulk.

Judge Faulks commended the officers from the Northumbria Police Integrity Unit for their dedication and hard work in bringing such a complex and protracted case to court.

Speaking after the hearing Detective Superintendent Ian Dawes said; "A police officer is in a position of trust, working with and on behalf of your communities.

"When someone falls below the standards to the extent that John Jones did they become a criminal, and he has been sentenced accordingly."