COVENTRY COP IN DRUGS SHAME; Detective faces jail for cocaine charge and theft: Detective's drug shame.

Byline: Warren Manger

A COVENTRY detective was caught with cocaine when police swooped on his home to search for a stolen wallet.

Anthony Martin, aged 48, is now facing jail and has been forced to quit West Midlands Police after a 30-year career.

The crooked cop - who was a detective constable at the Chace Avenue station in Willenhall - was caught on CCTV steal-ina wallet from a distracted motorist at a petrol station.

But when police raided his home they found more than they bargained for.

As well as the stolen wallet they found cocaine and "drug-taking paraphernalia". Martin, of Conwy Close, Nuneaton, pleaded guilty to theft and possession of cocaine at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Three days earlier he also admitted 13 offences of illegally accessing police intelligence systems, breaching the Data Protection Act. The court heard how the detective snatched the wallet while buying petrol at a Total garage in Foleshill Road, Coventry, on June 4 last year. CCTV footage showed the customer before him paying for his fuel and accidentally leaving his wallet on the counter. Martin pocketed the wallet. A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said: "The man left his wallet on the counter and got distracted while taking a call on his mobile. He then left the garage without his wallet." "The defendant walked in, picked it up and walked off. "When officers watched CCTV it captured the vehicle and the defendant was the registered keeper.

"A warrant was obtained to search the house and there they found cocaine, tin foil, cling film and other drug-taking paraphernalia." Martin originally claimed he was innocent but changed his plea to guilty before he was due to stand trial. The Judge, Recorder John Aucott, said: "I am aware the defendant was a police officer. This is a very sad case." The case has been adjourned for sentencing next month. West Midlands Police confirmed the shamed detective was no longer an employee. A spokesman said: "Mr Martin was suspended from duty while a full investigation was carried out and has since resigned. "His actions fell well short of the high standards of integrity and professionalism expected of all officers and employees of West Midlands Police. "A further internal investigation also revealed misuse of police intelligence systems which led to the former officer pleading guilty to 13 offences under the Data Protection Act."

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GUILTY... Anthony Martin who has been forced to quit West Midlands police after a 30-year career with the force