A serving police officer has been sentenced after being filmed stealing from a Lidl supermarket. Police constable Christopher Spence, aged 44, was caught on CCTV placing items such as steak, crisps, nuts, a block of cheese, two bottles of drink, and four Easter treat bags into his rucksack while at a Lidl in Bideford, Devon, on Monday, February 12.
He kept his bag open while leaving the store after paying for only one item at a self-service checkout. On Tuesday (November 26), he was sentenced to an 18-month community order after admitting to the offence, as well as 150 hours unpaid work, pay £300 towards prosecution costs within 12 months, as well as a victim surcharge and £30 compensation to the store.
Spence, who was off duty at the time of the offence, is now subject to misconduct proceedings within Devon and Cornwall Police. He has been suspended from duty since his arrest.
Warren Robinson, defending, said Spence, from Bideford, had made a “horrible mistake”. He said Spence had done years of good work as a police officer and had saved lives in his role. But he is also a “bit of a closed book” who doesn’t open up and talk about things. He was under financial pressure at the time.
Following sentencing, superintendent Toby Davies, commander in North and West Devon, said: “We are deeply disappointed by the actions of Chris Spence, particularly given his neighbourhood role within the community.
“First and foremost, I want to assure our community that the action of one individual does not reflect the values or integrity of our local officers. We are committed to maintaining the highest levels of trust and confidence in the community we serve, and I would like to assure the public that such incidents are rare.
“This behaviour undermines all those officers who behave to the highest standards day in, day out, keeping our area safe. As we move forwards, we will continue to be open and transparent, and hold ourselves accountable, and we will work hard to ensure that the actions of one individual does not undermine the confidence and trust we have worked so hard to build.”