A SERVING police officer is alleged to have been part of a gang which stole cash from hole-in-the-wall machines.

Jason Singh, 22, is one of four men accused of plotting to raid cashpoint machines in Dunston and elsewhere in the Gateshead area.

He was arrested by colleagues from Northumbria Police involved in a long- running inquiry into the loss of thousands of pounds from cash machines.

The South Shields-based officer, who is suspended from the force pending the outcome of court proceedings, is suspected of using inside knowledge gained in police training to carry out the alleged scam.

He and his three co-accused are charged with conspiracy to steal.

PC Singh, 22, from the Gateshead area, his brother Craig, 19, of Ryde Terrace, Dunston, Mark McDonald, 25, of Chelsea Gardens, and 24-year-old Shane Faife, of Curzon Street, also both Gateshead, appeared before a special sitting of magistrates in the town last Saturday.

All four were granted bail to appear at a preliminary hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, on Tuesday.

A Northumbria force spokeswoman yesterday confirmed details of the charges and last weekend's court appearance.

"All four were released on unconditional bail to attend Newcastle Crown Court, on January 10.

"One of the four is a serving police officer with South Tyneside Area Command. He has been suspended from duty."

PC Singh, who has been in the force for three years, is said to be a bodybuilder, who used to play football for Redheugh Boys' Club, where Paul Gascoigne emerged as a leading light in his younger days.

He was named as one of the club's top players in 2001.