Officer jailed after putting childhood friend before the force

A commended officer who passed confidential police information to a drug-dealing friend following an arrest has been jailed for two years.

Northumbria Police Constable Gary Christie, 42, had a lifelong association with convicted cocaine dealer Asa Dobbing.

Teesside Crown Court heard that PC Christie prioritised his friendship above his “principles as a police officer”.

Dobbing, 37, ran a drugs operation in Sunderland, and when Jamie Malloy – one of his couriers – was arrested, PC Christie searched police computers for information.

Prosecutor Nick Dry said the officer was in the dealer`s pocket, adding: “Following Malloy`s arrest, Dobbing telephoned Christie at work at Boldon police station.

“Within minutes, Christie accessed the police intelligence system, and began searching for the name of Jamie Malloy.

“The pair were then on the phone together during the search, and for 15 minutes afterwards.

“A clear inference can be drawn about what they were talking about.”

PC Christie denied misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to supply class A drugs between August 2012 and April 2014. He was acquitted by the jury of the conspiracy charge, but convicted of misconduct.

Dobbing was convicted of aiding and abetting a person to commit misconduct in a public office. He is already serving 14 years for drugs offences and was sentenced to an additional year in jail.

Representing PC Christie, Christopher Knox said he had been an officer for 20 years, and also received a commendation for tackling armed robbers.

“His career has been valuable to him, important to him, the centre of him,” he added.

Sentencing, Judge Howard Crowson said: “It is clear you put your loyalty to your friend Asa Dobbing above that of your duty as a serving police officer.

“The breach of trust was aggravated by you being an intelligence officer, and by the fact you continued the association with Asa Dobbing despite being warned off by colleagues.

“A message must be sent – that police officers prepared to assist criminals must also receive prison sentences.”

Deputy Chief Constable Winton Keenan said: “PC Christie`s actions are completely at odds with the values and ethics we expect of all of our officers and staff within Northumbria Police.

“It is essential that the public can trust the police and that where any officer or member of police staff abuses that trust, I would like to reassure you, that Northumbria Police will take action against them.”

PC Christie still faces a formal internal disciplinary hearing, but the court was told it is inevitable he will be dismissed.