Night out leads fare-dodging officer to end of road in force

A female officer who blamed being “jaded through drink” for jumping out of a taxi without paying has been dismissed by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Police Constable Nicola Elston dodged the £24 cab fare after a night out with colleagues, a MPS disciplinary hearing heard.

PC Elston, 30, was told her conviction for refusing the fare amounted to gross misconduct.

The panel heard that PC Elston, who has served with the force for seven years, was branded “relentlessly dishonest” by a judge following a three-day trial at Southwark Crown Court.

She had been cleared of punching the taxi driver in the stomach, but convicted of fare evasion and fined.

PC Elston, described as a “capable, courageous and hard-working officer”, admitted the whole affair had left her “embarrassed by the fact that it has brought embarrassment on the MPS”.

The tribunal found she had continued to “push the blame on to others” and what she had done went against “what London rightfully expects of a Metropolitan Police officer”.

Michael Kirk, for the MPS, said that on June 27 last year the Lambeth-based officer took a cab home to Croydon after a night drinking with colleagues but refused to pay the fare on arrival.

The panel was told she had a row with the driver, who claimed she punched him in the stomach. PC Elston was arrested hours later but told officers at her first interview that she was unable to recall the events of the night before.

She was charged last September and during her trial in March claimed she left the fare in the cab before getting out.

PC Elston was called to the disciplinary hearing to answer allegations her behaviour breached the MPS’ standards for professional behaviour concerning honesty and integrity.

James Southgate, of the Metropolitan Police Federation, told the panel that the conviction had “devastated” her.

He added: “She must accept the court ruling but she disagrees with the outcome. She said she left the fare in the cab but the jury didn’t accept this. It did accept she did not assault the driver.

“She does agree that her conduct amounts to gross misconduct and she is embarrassed by the fact that it has brought embarrassment on the MPS.

She made a mistake. She accepts it, learned from it and the court has punished her for it. Please don’t take away this previously unblemished career.”

PC Elston wore her uniform for the hour-long hearing but did not speak.

In a statement she apologised and said she should have dealt with it in a different manner.

She said: “I accept that it is hard to continue to employ me, especially if I was asked to give evidence in court and would have to declare any convictions.

“I said that I left it [the money] there when the driver started shouting at me.

“I didn’t make the driver drive around the corner, he stopped about ten to 15 metres away [from the address].”

The tribunal heard that she has been placed in the Missing Persons Unit in Brixton while under restrictions.

On the night in question she had drunk a “considerable amount of alcohol”.

Assistant Commissioner Helen King said: “PC Elston has provided strong evidence from colleagues and supervisors that she is a capable, courageous and hard-working officer.

“This was not planned in any way. There is no suggestion that she intended to abuse her position

“She was placed on restrictions and, to her credit, remained in the workplace and also to her credit retains the support of the borough commander.

“However, I have to consider very carefully the aggravating features and what London rightfully expects of a Metropolitan Police officer.

“She didn’t accept responsibility for her actions in pleading guilty and was subsequently found guilty by a jury [of theft].

“She gave evidence that made allegations against the taxi driver. PC Elston has continued to push blame onto others.

“Officers recognise that convictions represent a significant barrier to remaining as a police officer.”

Ms King concluded that PC Elston had breached standards of honesty, a