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Jail for former detective who committed mortgage fraud to pay gambling debts (10 August 2015)

Date: 10/08/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Jail for former detective who committed mortgage fraud to pay gambling debts

A former Norfolk police officer has been convicted of charges relating to mortgage fraud and an endowment policy he and his former wife held.

Online publisher EDP24.co.uk reports that 47-year-old Christopher Hawkins – formerly of Back Lane in Martham, Norfolk – served as a detective constable at Norfolk Constabulary at the time of the offences between January 2007 and August 2013.

The court heard that the four offences totalled around £85,000 and involved Hawkins making false representations in the name of his then wife – also a serving police officer – relating to mortgage extensions on their then home; and in one case, in respect of an endowment policy.

His then wife knew nothing of the frauds – but the proceeds amounted to £25,000, £24,000, £23,000 and £13,000 and were paid into a bank account controlled by Hawkins to pay off gambling debts.

Hawkins – now of Dorchester Road, Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk – lost his job in 2014, after admitting one offence of fraud by false representation between March and April 2012.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 12 months’ supervision and 200 hours of unpaid work.

At Ipswich Crown Court, Hawkins was sentenced for the remaining charges, after previously admitting four counts of fraud.

Sentencing Hawkins to two years’ imprisonment, Judge John Devaux said the offences were an “abuse of trust” and had had a “serious” impact on his ex-wife.

The court heard that she might have to sell her home and has had her credit rating affected.

Hawkins’ defence lawyer told the court that the offences had been committed during a period when there had been a “significant strain” on his marriage.

Hawkins had served as an officer between December 1989 and October 2014, but was dismissed from the force after his 2014 conviction.

He had faced an internal disciplinary process with the Professional Standards Department.

After Hawkins was jailed for fraud, Detective Sergeant Gary Lillie from Norfolk and Suffolk’s Anti-Corruption Unit said:

“We expect the highest level of personal and professional behaviour from those serving with us.

“This result highlights how important it is for the forces to continue to robustly investigate any allegations of criminal conduct made against its employees or former employees.”

“The fact that Hawkins had deceived those who should have been able to trust him the most – and who have particularly suffered via his actions –
is equally unacceptable.”

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