Cop ‘used Met computer in his motor dispute’

A police sergeant scoured computers for individuals’ personal data during a private dispute over a dodgy car sale, a court heard.

Paul Potter, 38, allegedly obtained personal data with the help of Croydon Council ASBO officer Alan O’Brien, 49, who had access to the Experian credit check website, jurors heard.

The sergeant allegedly used the site to look up a man named Anthony Everest.

Potter had bought a Mitsubishi car from Mr Everest and sold it on to Adam Pethick.

But the car was in fact a ‘cut and shut’ job – two vehicles that have been written off that have been chopped in half and the two least damaged ends welded together.

When Mr Pethick found out, he made a complaint about Potter to Hampshire Police.

Fearing legal action from Mr Pethick, the officer began to research Mr Everest, Southwark Crown Court heard.

Potter allegedly thanked O’Brien for his help, telling him in an email: ‘That’s awesome’.

Potter later used a police computer to look up a vehicle’s registration number.

Jurors heard Potter again accessed police systems on 23 April and 12 June 2014 to look up the names of Plummer and O’Brien.

He later explained in a prepared statment that he was researching his co-defendant’s brother who he feared might be a suspect in a domestic abuse case.

O’Brien denies one count of obtaining and disclosing personal data while Potter denies the same count along with three further counts of making unauthorised access to data.

Prosecutor Max Hardy said: ‘Neither of these gentleman had any place obtaining personal information.

‘It was not being as part of their jobs.

‘Both of these defendants were known to each other.

‘Mr Potter bought that car from Mr Everest.

‘He went on to sell the car to Adam Pethick.

‘Mr Pethick discovered that the car was a ‘cut and shut’.

‘The car was in fact two different vehicles which had been joined together.

‘The dispute that started between Mr Pethwick and Mr Potter was a private matter.

‘They were two private individuals and this was nothing to do with Mr Potter as a police officer.

‘Police officers have access to systems that other people do not have.

‘Mr Potter was not entitled to have access to the police system in matters that were personal to him.

‘Mr Pethick made a report to his local police in relation to the vehicle he purchased.

‘Mr Potter felt as much a victim as Pethick was.’

Mr Hardy explained that a series of emails were exchanged between Potter and Mr Pethick.

As Pethick threatened legal action Potter got in touch with the Police Federation to ask for help.

Mr Hardy continued: ‘This isn’t about who was in the right or wrong about the car.

‘Croydon Council’s access to the Experian service was being misused by Mr O’Brien on Mr Potter’s behalf in circumstances that had nothing to do with their jobs.

‘Police officers historical use of systems can be researched.’

Potter later told police that in all circumstances he was fulfilling his role as as a police officer making research.

Referring to O’Brien’s search the prosecutor explained: ‘He said he became concerned that he had been given information in relation to a potential suspect and it was with that in mind that he looked up the crime report.

‘Whatever was going on between Mr O’Brien and Mr Potter, that was personal.’

Potter, of Rose Bushes, Epsom, Surrey; and O’Brien, of Chequers Hill, Sittingbourne, Kent; each deny a single count of obtaining and disclosing personal data.

Potter has also pleaded not guilty to three further counts of causing a computer to perform a function with intent to secure unauthorised access to data.

The trial continues.

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