Bent policeman’s paymaster jailed

A MAN who bought the services of a corrupt Greater Manchester Police officer has been jailed.

Through Philip Berry, who was suspended from duty but still a serving PC at the time, Gary Knox obtained a book containing sensitive and confidential information about rival drug dealers and informants.

Knox (34), of Seathwaite Road, Farnworth, was jailed for six years after he was convicted of conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office.

In the summer of 2008, PC Philip Berry — a former member of the Bolton Drugs Squad who had been redeployed to uniform duties in October, 2007 — started to associate with Knox, who gave him a £20,000 BMW.

Through Berry, Knox got hold of a book Berry himself created, containing the real names, nicknames and areas of operation of drug dealers and suspected drug dealers in Bolton. The book was found when officers searched Knox’s car in July, 2008.

At the time Berry was suspended from the force following allegations about a fraudulent car loan and had tended his resignation. Berry (43), of Oldstead Grove, Ferncrest, Bolton, earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, misconduct in a public office and obtaining money by deception. He was sentenced to four years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court in March.

Throughout the trial, Knox claimed the book was planted by GMP officers.