Auditors

[Fedster + 1,307]

Met sets cash, bag and phone charger trap which PC fails.

 

Date - 16th August 2019
By - Ceysun Dixon 

5 Comments

 

An officer caught out in a sting by his own force faces the threat of the sack after being convicted of theft on the job.

PC Robin Ruston, 36, part of Met Police’s central east command unit, was handed a 16-week suspended prison term after admitting pocketing £200 from an undercover officer in an operation designed to “test his integrity”.

On Wednesday, he was given the cash, bag and a phone charger by someone he believed to be a member of the public – and later failed to hand back the money. 

He had a holiday booked with his children and wanted some cash to spend on them following a divorce, Westminster Magistrates’ Court heard yesterday.

In addition to the suspended sentence, PC Ruston, who pleaded guilty to one count of theft, was also ordered to pay £207 to the court in costs and a victim surcharge.

A force spokeswoman said an investigation into the PC’s conduct would be opened.

She added: “Now that criminal proceedings have been completed, a misconduct process will commence. The officer is currently suspended.”

The officer, from Ongar in Essex, has served with the force for 15 years.

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[Zulu 22 + 4,628]

Quote "An officer caught out in a sting by his own force faces the threat of the sack after being convicted of theft on the job".  

I have no hesitation is questioning the fact that he faces the threat of being sacked. I would have thought that it was an absolute promise of the sack.

[Member of Public + 206]

I quite agree with Zulu, the force cannot have thieves serving within it. I've no doubt he will be struck off.