Cop probed a crime he had committed himself
Officer is jailed for blackmailing a married man over trip to prostitute mirrornews@mirror.co.uk
A DETECTIVE who was blackmailing a married man over his visit to a prostitute was given the job of investigating his own crime.
You would have been well aware of the gravity of the offences THE JUDGE TO DC GARETH SUFFLING
DC Gareth Suffling, 35, left incriminating photographs and a demand for £1,000 on the victim’s car windscreen.
After the man got in touch with police, Suffling was sent to carry out surveillance at the ransom drop-off site but colleagues saw he was acting suspiciously.
Prosecutor Angus Robertson told a court it was discovered he had earlier made a Police National Computer inquiry into the victim’s car registration number to obtain the man’s address.
Mr Robertson said: “Suspicion fell on the defendant as dangerous driving inquiries would not normally be carried out by his unit.”
Suffling found out the prostitute was working from a motorhome in Luton, Beds, and photographed the visit. He admitted blackmail and misconduct in public office and was jailed for 18 months.
Recorder Jeffrey Yearwood told him at St Albans crown court: “It was an ugly crime.
“As a police officer you would have been well aware of the gravity of the offences involved.”
Suffling, of Barton-leClay, Beds, was sacked by Bedfordshire Police.
Earlier this year he had been commended for an investigation into a man who groomed and sexually assaulted six teenage boys.