Pc accused of helping insurance claims firm

POLICE OFFICER DENIES ASSISTING BUSINESS INTERESTS OF FRIENDS

- LYNDA ROUGHLEY

A GREATER Manchester Police constable is accused of repeatedly providing confidential information from the force's computer system to help his friends' motor insurance claims company.

Akeel Kadir, who was based in Bolton, was allegedly paid thousands of pounds for his help, much of which he quickly spent on online gambling, a court heard.

The 54-year-old officer is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court along with three other men, who were all connected to Apex Claims (UK) Ltd, based in Apex House, Bolton.

The jury heard that the case arises from an investigation by the GMP AntiCorruption Unit into Pc Kadir.

Nicholas Johnson KC, prosecuting, said he 'abused his position within the force to access secure systems and obtain confidential police information, which he then shared to the benefit of three friends, who were not part of the force! He said: "All three, Junaid Patel, Mohammed Soorma and Soyab Dhalech, were connected to a motor insurance claims company called Apex Claims (UK) Ltd. Much of the information Pc Kadir provided was not for a proper policing purpose but to help out the business interests of his friends.