A former police officer has been given a suspended jail sentence after being convicted on shoplifting while on duty in uniform.
Peter Cokell, aged 34, received a 12 week jail term, suspended for 12 months, this week.
He was also ordered to do 70 hours unpaid work in the community, contribute £400 towards the costs of the case, and pay £74.98 compensation.
Cokell had stolen two computer games from a store at The Mall in Cribbs Causeway.
In sentencing Cokell, Judge David Parsons told him he had committed a “gross breach of trust”.
Assistant Chief Constable Lawrie Lewis said: “The comments from the judge indicate how seriously he viewed this case.
“We are satisfied to see that he was awarded a custodial sentence, albeit a suspended one.
“Mr Cokell’s actions were unacceptable for anyone in a position of public trust and beyond belief for someone entrusted to be a police officer.
“These were the actions of a single person which was in no way representative of the many trusted and honourable staff we have who, on a daily basis, demonstrate high standards of professional behaviour.
“We are committed to providing a policing service which local people have confidence in.”
Mr Cokell resigned from the force in June.
ACC Lewis said: “We accepted his resignation as this accelerated his departure from the force and ensured he was no longer entitled to his salary whilst he awaited the outcome of the court proceedings.”
Source: Avon and Somerset Police
