27 August 2010 Last updated at 11:56 ET

Detective fined £4,000 for disclosing police data

Det Con Roberts gave information to a suspected criminal

A North Wales police detective has been fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs after disclosing police information to a suspected criminal.

Vaughan Roberts, from Rhos on Sea, Conwy, accessed information about a friend on the police computer, Caernarfon Crown Court heard.

Roberts, who was convicted of two offences earlier this month, had accepted a £1,800 loan from the man.

North Wales Police confirmed he remains suspended from duty.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC told Roberts that his job is at risk.

The court was previously told that Roberts, 30, who is based at Bangor, accessed information about close friend Peter Lewis, a doorman from Talysarn, near Caernarfon.

'Unhealthy'

Roberts had phoned Mr Lewis' landline whilst on the police computer in May last year.

Judge Merfyn Hughes QC said any police officer with integrity would have recognised the danger of having an "unhealthy" relationship with Mr Lewis, who had loaned him £1,800.

The judge also told Roberts he had brought disgrace on North Wales Police.

At the sentencing hearing, the judge was told that Roberts had shown a great deal of promise as an officer and was well thought of by those who worked with him.

Roberts was given six months in which to pay the fine and costs, with three months' imprisonment if he defaults. Data protection offences carry only a financial penalty.

'Suspended'

Deputy chief constable Ian Shannon said: "Following a successful investigation by North Wales Police and the subsequent conviction of DC Vaughan Roberts, the internal investigation continues.

"DC Roberts remains suspended from his policing duties.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further at this stage."