A jailed former Devon and Cornwall Police Constable made eight fraudulent purchases with a vulnerable 81-year-old woman's bank card. Sam Smith, 31, was working as an officer in South Devon at the time of the offences.

He attended a report of concern for the welfare of the woman on November 28, 2019 before befriending her. He then made the fraudulent purchases without her knowledge or consent between March 30 and August 25, 2020.

Smith was convicted of eight counts of fraud and was jailed for 20 months at Exeter Crown Court in November 2023. A recent accelerated misconduct hearing found that, had Sam Smith still been a serving officer, he would have been dismissed without notice.

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After the criminal proceedings, a disciplinary hearing was held at Devon & Cornwall Police HQ in Exeter on March 7 this year. The hearing, chaired by Acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, determined Smith’s actions amounted to gross misconduct and had fallen below the standards of professional behaviour; namely honesty and integrity and discreditable conduct.

Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Dave Thorne said: “Sam Smith’s appalling actions involved a vulnerable victim and he was rightly convicted and jailed for these criminal offences. There is no place within policing for this unacceptable behaviour and our determination of gross misconduct was the right, and only, appropriate outcome.

“All police officers have a privileged role in being part of a Force responsible for the safeguarding of vulnerable people. Devon & Cornwall Police takes any reports of illegal or inappropriate conduct extremely seriously.

“All officers and staff are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics and ensure the highest standards of behaviour, both on and off duty. I can reassure the public that the overwhelming majority of our officers and staff work diligently to help to keep the public safe, uphold our high standards and provide an exceptional service to our communities.

“Ensuring the highest standards and ethics within the Force remains a top priority and the public can be assured that any wrongdoing or unacceptable behaviour such as this will be subject to robust action.”