Alexis Scott, the PCSO who used her knowledge of Gatwick to steal thousands of pounds from passengers travelling from the Sussex airport, has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.
Scott, 39, from Plumstead, London, who appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (September 25), was found guilty in July of six offences of theft and one of misconduct in public office, after a trial lasting just over three weeks. She was sentenced to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment for the misconduct in public office offence and two-and-a-half years for each of the theft offences, to run concurrently.
Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: "Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of everyone who works for us. Scott fell woefully short of those standards, abusing the trust that we had placed in her, but more importantly, the trust of the public and in particular, the victims of her crimes.
"Passengers and other users of Gatwick Airport rightly expect that those who wear the uniform of Sussex Police do so with integrity and honesty. Scott failed in this simple requirement and has been duly punished, but this mustn't be allowed to reflect upon the professionalism, honesty and integrity of other employees of Sussex Police who work tirelessly and selflessly around the clock.
"This was a complex and detailed investigation of an audacious act, but any such act will not be tolerated and we acted swiftly and decisively as soon as it came to light."
In sentencing Scott, HHJ James O'Mahony paid tribute to the police investigation that led to the conviction and awarded four Crown Court commendations to Sussex Police officers involved in the case.
A Sussex Police internal disciplinary investigation took place last year and as a result Scott attended a gross misconduct hearing on July 16, 2013, and was dismissed immediately.
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Sussex Police - please visit their official website for further information. Reported by Sussex Police 6 hours ago.
Scott, 39, from Plumstead, London, who appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday (September 25), was found guilty in July of six offences of theft and one of misconduct in public office, after a trial lasting just over three weeks. She was sentenced to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment for the misconduct in public office offence and two-and-a-half years for each of the theft offences, to run concurrently.
Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: "Sussex Police expects the highest personal and professional standards of everyone who works for us. Scott fell woefully short of those standards, abusing the trust that we had placed in her, but more importantly, the trust of the public and in particular, the victims of her crimes.
"Passengers and other users of Gatwick Airport rightly expect that those who wear the uniform of Sussex Police do so with integrity and honesty. Scott failed in this simple requirement and has been duly punished, but this mustn't be allowed to reflect upon the professionalism, honesty and integrity of other employees of Sussex Police who work tirelessly and selflessly around the clock.
"This was a complex and detailed investigation of an audacious act, but any such act will not be tolerated and we acted swiftly and decisively as soon as it came to light."
In sentencing Scott, HHJ James O'Mahony paid tribute to the police investigation that led to the conviction and awarded four Crown Court commendations to Sussex Police officers involved in the case.
A Sussex Police internal disciplinary investigation took place last year and as a result Scott attended a gross misconduct hearing on July 16, 2013, and was dismissed immediately.
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Sussex Police - please visit their official website for further information. Reported by Sussex Police 6 hours ago.