Two Durham PCs in court on gun sale charge

Sep 12 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

TWO police officers accused of leading a gun-running operation have appeared in court.

The North East PCs have been charged with misconduct in public office following an investigation into the alleged sale to members of the public of guns which had been handed in to police for safe disposal.

Durham police officers Maurice Allen, 47, and Damien Cobain, 41, both faced Newcastle Magistrates’ Court.

Allen was also charged with 16 counts of theft – charges that relate to various firearms.

Allen is a firearms licensing officer for the Derwentside District. Cobain is a firearms licensing officer in east Durham. Both have been suspended from work for the past six months.

During the brief hearing, Allen, of Houghton le Spring, Wearside, and Cobain, of Sunderland, spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses.

They were remanded on unconditional bail and will appear for trial at Newcastle Crown Court on September 25.

Durham Police said the investigation into the two officers began in February following a burglary at a farmhouse in north Durham.

The owner of a weapon told officers he had bought the gun from the police.

It emerged that its previous owner handed the gun to police for destruction, but it disappeared from the force's registration system. This led to inquiries being conducted by Durham Police’s professional standards department, under the supervision of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The officers were suspended as a result, arrested and interviewed concerning the allegations.

Allen has nearly 29 years’ police service, and Cobain has been with the force for eight years.

Police have stressed there is nothing to suggest that the guns were used for anything other than legitimate purposes.

Det Chief Insp Mick Nail, of the Durham force’s professional standards department said: “All the weapons are accounted for and were bought by registered shotgun or firearms certificate holders who had been previously vetted by police.

“There is nothing to suggest any of the firearms concerned have been used in any criminal activity.”