Policeman stole £50 from lost wallet, court told

Alost wallet handed in to the police containing £50 in cash was returned to the owner with no notes inside, a court heard.

Stephen Davies, from Gwent Police, denies one count of theft relating to the incident at Monmouth Police Station in June last year and is on trial at Cardiff Crown Court.

Giving evidence, PC David Walters said his colleague seemed “flustered” about the money.

The court heard Thomas Dowden, from Sheffield, left his wallet at Ye Old Ferrie Inn while visiting Symonds Yat on June 10, 2016.

John Hipkin, prosecuting, said the wallet was found by jogger Andrew McGrath the next day, who left his details with the pub owner and handed the wallet in at the police station.

Mr Dowden contacted the pub about his missing wallet on June 12 and was directed to Mr McGrath, who told him he gave it to the police with £50 inside.

Prosecutors said the complainant collected the item, but there was no cash inside.

PCSO Lauren Parker confirmed she returned the wallet to Mr Dowden around 4.30pm on June 12. She told the jury she took the wallet out of a sealed evidence bag before handing it over and confirmed there was no money inside at the time.

The witness explained she then asked Mr Dowden to sign a receipt to confirm he had received the wallet.

Station inquiry officer Helen Watkins told the jury Mr McGrath came into the station the next day, stressing the wallet contained £50 when he handed it in.

Prosecutors allege the defendant returned the cash when he learnt a complaint had been made, making a show of finding the notes under a desk, which they claim was “a sham”.

Asked if she noticed any cash under her desk, Ms Watkins replied: “I never noticed anything on the floor and if I had, I would have picked it up.”

Mr Hipkin read a statement from Amanda Long, who has been a cleaner at the police station for 10 years. She said she vacuumed on the Monday morning, including under the desk, adding: “I do not recall seeing anything unusual on the floor.”

PC Walters said Davies came into the station around 6pm on June 14, telling him: “You heard about the money going missing on the weekend? I’ve come over here to look for it.”

Asked about Davies’ demeanour, he replied: “He appeared quite wound-up and flustered.”

He recalled Davies telling him: “I’ve got plenty on at the moment. I need this like a hole in the head.”

PC Walters said his colleague started moving pieces of paper and mouse mats on the desk, before crawling underneath and hunting for about a minute.

He told the jury Davies declined his offer of help to search.

The witness said: “He said, ‘It’s here, on the floor.’ Then he crawled out backwards, stood up and showed me a bundle of notes in his hand. He appeared relieved.”

Defence barrister Christopher Rees suggested the search was “genuine” and the witness agreed it appeared to be.

PC Steve Simmonds, from the professional standards department, said the investigation showed Davies withdrew £50 from a cashpoint nine minutes before entering the police station. Davies claims this was a coincidence.

An interviewing officer asked him: “There has been an allegation made of a theft of £50 from a wallet. Are you responsible for stealing that money?” The defendant replied: “No.” Davies, 38, from Churchwood in Griffithstown, Pontypool, denies one count of theft.

The trial continues.