By Phil Coleman Chief Reporter

Last updated at 11:36, Thursday, 28 June 2012

A former police counter clerk has been warned he could be facing jail after he admitted misconduct in his public office, theft, and two serious drugs offences.

At Carlisle Crown Court, Ben Lewis, 21, admitted seven offences.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of misconduct in a public office while he worked as a police counter clerk at Carlisle Civic Centre on March 15 and on April 28, both last year.

On both occasions, he disclosed confidential information to a third party.

Lewis, of Cumrew, Heads Nook, near Brampton, also admitted conspiring to supply cannabis, a class B drug, and conspiring to supply the class A drug cocaine; and three counts of theft, stealing a camera and two wallets.

He was one of five defendants who appeared before judge Peter Hughes QC at the city’s crown court.

Granting Lewis bail so that background reports could be prepared on him, the judge warned that cases of misconduct could only be met by sentences of imprisonment.

The prosecution accepted Lewis’s not guilty pleas to alternative drugs charges which alleged that he supplied cannabis and cocaine.

Also in court were:

• Paul Elliman, of Warwick Road, who pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis and offering to supply the class B drug;
• Benjamin Stout, 20, of London Road, Carlisle, who admitted aiding, abetting or procuring Lewis to disclose confidential information and commit misconduct in a public office on March 15 last year;
• Jamie MacAuley, 20, of Station Road, Cumwhinton, who admitted conspiring to supply cannabis and aiding, abetting, or procuring Ben Lewis to disclose confidential information and commit misconduct in a public office on a date in April of last year.
• Lauren Richardson, 18, of Mayfield Avenue, Harraby, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis and cocaine between January and June last year.

She will be tried at the crown court at the end of July, along with another defendant who denies a single charge of conspiring to supply cocaine over the same period.

All the defendants were granted bail and reports will be prepared for all of those who pleaded guilty.

First published at 11:28, Thursday, 28 June 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk