Police officer guilty of unlawfully issuing cautions

Ben KendallA rogue police officer was today found guilty of unlawfully issuing cautions and warnings to teenagers to boost the number of detected crimes recorded against his name.Ben Kendall

A rogue police officer was today found guilty of unlawfully issuing cautions and warnings to teenagers to boost the number of detected crimes recorded against his name.

In the trial at Norwich Crown Court PC Dominic de Souza, 31, from Attleborough, was found guilty of nine counts of wilful misconduct in public office. He was found not guilty of two counts and the jury will continue to deliberate on one charge tomorrow (Friday).

The court heard that de Souza, who was based in Wymondham, incorrectly issued cannabis warnings and cautions for possession of offensive weapons to teenagers under the age of 18. He altered the teenagers' dates of birth to make them 18, as the warnings can only be issued to people over that age and each detected crime was then recorded against his name in the crime statistics.

He claimed he had made mistakes but said they were 'genuine' errors.

Prosecutor William Carter said: 'It was an abuse of the trust the public and individuals should have been able to have in him. As a result of his behaviour he became regarded as a proactive officer and one of the best performers in detecting crime in Norfolk.'

Sentencing will take place at a later date. De Souza has been suspended from duty and will face disciplinary action.