West Midlands PCSO jailed for leaking intelligence to drug dealer
A police community support officer was jailed for two years today for carrying out illegal computer searches and leaking intelligence to criminals.
Sandwell-based Andrew Thompson began a relationship with Marie Parkes and was repeatedly told by her and her husband to provide details, from sensitive police systems.
Parkes, 52, and her husband Barry, 59, met with the former special constable at a pub to get the information, which they then passed to a third man, Brian Baker, in exchange for cash.
Baker, of Royal Oak Road, Rowley Regis, is a convicted drug dealer and a former school friend of Barry Parkes. He was given police mugshots, intelligence logs and personal details about criminals from around the region.
Thompson was arrested in October last year when anti-corruption officers saw him handing over information at the Parkes' home address. The material was then passed to Baker at a pub.
Thompson, aged 43, from Charter Road, Tipton, pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office at an earlier court hearing and will now face internal gross misconduct proceedings.
Baker, 57, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, was sentenced to two years and eight months. That is in addition to the seven year jail term he is already serving for drugs offences.
Marie Parkes was found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office following an eight day trial and was handed a two year suspended sentence.
Barry Parkes, who was also found guilty of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office, was sentenced to two years and three months.
Det Insp Tracey McGrath said Thompson had abused his position as a PCSO.
