Disgraced detective John Jones jailed for five years

Dec 4 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

A FORMER Northumbria detective who fed police intelligence to a notorious professional criminal has been jailed for five years.

Disgraced John Jones repeatedly passed on confidential information from the force computer to feared drug dealer Allan Foster after recruiting him as an police informant.

He also visited London’s West End for a drink-fuelled night out with Foster – who is alleged to have gunned down David "Noddy" Rice in a South Shields car park a month later.

Jones, 48, of Seaham, County Durham, was convicted earlier this week of four counts of misconduct in public office after a trial lasting more than eight weeks at Newcastle Crown Court.

The married father-of-two, who had denied any corruption, met Foster through Bruce McCall’s Seaham gym, where they both trained.

Jailing Jones yesterday, Judge Esmond Faulks told him: "You unwisely as time went on became friendly with that man. You then used your privileged position as a police officer not just to access the criminal intelligence system about him, but as the jury have found, passed on to him sensitive police information.

"You also failed to enter on the police system any information about Allan Foster, such as his London address and his telephone number, and that was even after it was clear to you Mr Foster was the principal suspect in a murder.

"You also abused your position as a police officer by allowing yourself to be extravagantly entertained on a night out in London by Mr Foster.

"We are fortunate in this country to have a police force people trust. When a police officer abuses that trust as you did, a prison sentence is inevitable."

Judge Faulks said he bore in mind Jones’s previous good character, testimonials on his behalf from senior police officers and the fact the jury had acquitted him of receiving bribes. He said he also took into account a prison term would be "especially hard" for a former police officer.

McCall, 42, of Cornelia Terrace, Seaham, was jailed for 15 months after being acquitted of the illegal importation, possession and supply of Class C growth hormones. The jury had cleared him of one count of aiding and abetting Jones’ misconduct and failed to reach a verdict on a second similar count. Members of the investigation team were commended by Judge Faulks for their work.

Jones – who joined Northumbria Police in 1992 – resigned from the force after his arrest and later found work as a lecturer at Newcastle College.

Foster, 32, from South Tyneside, is still on the run.

For previous stories about the case, click the links below
Corrupt detective John Jones is facing jail term
John Jones trial: drug halted sex session
John Jones trial: drug and call girl claims denied
John Jones trial: detective enjoyed luxury weekend