Detective cleared of all charges

Date published: 11 May 2010

Prosecution offers no evidence

A DETECTIVE sergeant who faced a two-year police inquiry over his business affairs has been cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence.

Alan Walker (44) was arrested in January, 2008, at Oldham Police station whilst his wife, Paula (38), who works in a civilian role at the same police station, was also arrested and moved to another role.

Later, Greater Manchester Police said Walker, who has been with the force for about 20 years, had been charged with 12 offences under the Data Protection Act.

But yesterday at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Walker was formally found not guilty by a judge after legal submissions over the case.

The prosecution offered no evidence.

Walker, formerly of Grotton and now of Clough Lea, Marsden, near Huddersfield, had been suspended after being detained at his workplace at CID.

He was originally arrested on suspicion of money laundering, misconduct in a public office, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and data protection offences.

At the time Walker and his wife were directors of a sandwich shop which is just yards from the Oldham Police HQ on George Street, in the town centre.