Biscuit theft probe costs Yard £5,500

SCOTLAND Yard spent almost £5,500 on a disciplinary hearing for an officer accused of stealing a tin of biscuits. PC Thomas Hooper was alleged to have taken the colleague’s biscuits from a cupboard without her permission, apparently to share them. His three-day hearing racked up costs of £5,477.50 for expenses, legal fees and a stenographer.

PC Hooper, based in Kingston upon Thames, was also accused of lying to get a speeding ticket cancelled after driving at 51mph in a 30mph zone while working. He was returned to active duty after the panel found he had no case to answer for either allegation, having been on restricted duties since last July.