Disgraced West Midlands policeman in cocaine dealing plot loses bid to slash sentence
A disgraced former police officer who was jailed for his part in a £178,000 cocaine dealing plot has failed in an appeal against his sentence.
Mark Simon Turner, 31, of Birmingham, was charged after taking delivery of a one-kilo package of high-purity drugs in July last year.
However, evidence suggested former West Midlands Police officer Turner, of The Pollards, Erdington, had been involved with drugs since the previous November.
He admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and was jailed for eight years at the city's crown court in April.
Rejecting an appeal against the sentence yesterday, Mr Justice Kerr said his case was 'unarguable'.
The court heard Turner had earlier served another prison sentence for misconduct in public office in 2009, having accessed details on a police system.
But within four years, he was offending again, with evidence gathered from his home suggesting involvement in Class A drugs.
His lawyers argued that the sentence he received was 'manifestly excessive' and should be cut.
He was remorseful and had made good progress in prison, the judges were told.
But rejecting the appeal bid, Mr Justice Kerr said the sentencing had been straight-forward for the crown court judge and there was 'no flaw' in the result.
Although the plot he admitted was based on only one day, the evidence suggested a much deeper involvement for Turner.
'The evidence indicated drug dealing over a longer period,' said the appeal judge.
The sentence was upheld
