A DETECTIVE sergeant who stole nearly £10,000 from her police constable partner is facing jail after being convicted of fraud.
Burton-based Carmen Hall extorted cash from ex-partner PC Mark Jones's credit card while the pair were both employed by Staffordshire Police.
The 40-year-old, who was working at Burton police station's intelligence department, stole £4,976 from PC Jones's credit card in May 2007, before later transferring £4,300.
A jury yesterday unanimously found her guilty of two counts of fraud, as well as a further charge of perverting the course of justice.
The police couple are now understood to have separated.
Staffordshire Police revealed today that Hall, who is still employed by the force, was going through a 'misconduct process'.
The jury at Birmingham Crown Court took just four hours to find her guilty on all counts following an eight-day trial.
Hall, dressed in a grey skirt and pink cardigan, sat emotionless as she was convicted on all three counts — all of which she had denied.
Martin Liddiard, defending, told the court: "She loses, by this verdict, an awful lot." Judge Murray Creed adjourned Hall's sentencing until the week commencing October 4, for pre-sentence reports to be completed.
He told her it was likely she could receive a custodial jail term.
After the verdict, a spokesperson for Staffordshire Police released a prepared statement which said: "An investigation was launched into Sgt Carmen Hall by Staffordshire Police's Professional Standards Department after a complaint was received by the force in April 2008.
"As a result, at Birmingham Crown Court, Sgt Hall was convicted of credit card fraud committed when she was offduty in May 2007.
"She was also convicted of perverting the course of justice, relating to the same matter. She is due to be sentenced at the same court in the week beginning October 4.
"Sgt Hall has been working in a nonoperational role at force headquarters in Stafford.
"Following yesterday's outcome at court, she will now go through a force misconduct process.
"Although Sgt Hall's offences relate to a personal dispute, Staffordshire Police takes the integrity of its officers and staff very seriously and will thoroughly investigate any complaints of criminal behaviour." Hall, who is still believed to be living in the town, has held several roles within Burton police, having once held responsibility for dealing with Anti-social behahaviour and Asbos.
She has also carried out various highprofile crackdowns on issues such as breaches of taxi licensing, truancy, and drug-induced sexual assault and rape.
