Middleton police officer in cocaine case fails in release appeal

A police officer from Middleton who encouraged her PC lover to 'sort her out' with cocaine has failed in an Appeal Court bid to be set free.

Kerry Reeve, 36, was jailed for 31 weeks at Manchester Crown Court on 25 June.

Reeve and Adam Jackson, also 36, of Tong Lane, Bacup, were serving officers in Greater Manchester Police's tactical aid unit.

The two PCs became 'involved in an affair', Mrs Justice McGowan told London's Appeal Court.

They were both cocaine users and Reeve sent messages to Jackson asking him to 'sort her out' with the drug.

Reeve was arrested on February 12 last year and, when a sample of her hair was examined, it showed the presence of cocaine.

She claimed that must have been the result of carrying out drug raids as part of her police duties, but later admitted two counts of encouraging Jackson to commit offences.

Jackson was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence and two counts of possessing class A drugs.

Reeve was of previous good character and had some personal difficulties which had led to mental health problems, the court heard.

The 'regular cocaine user' also had responsibilities for looking after her mother, whose ill-health was serious and continuing.

Her lawyers argued that her jail term should have been suspended, and that she had in any case 'served long enough' behind bars.

Given her background as a police officer, her life in custody is a 'very uncomfortable experience', the court was told.

She spends a lot of time in her cell because of 'fears over her personal safety' and has faced daily threats.

Mrs Justice McGowan said that 'offences of this sort attract significant public attention, quite rightly, and are widely reported in the media'.

"The consequential lack of confidence, in the public view, of the police service is marked."

The judge who jailed Reeve said that her crimes were 'so serious only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified'.

There was 'nothing wrong' with the Crown Court judge's decision not to suspend the jail term, said Mrs Justice McGowan.

"Nor is it open to the court to say the term of 31 weeks is manifestly excessive or wrong in principle."

"This was a serious piece of criminal offending," added the judge, who was sitting with Mr Justice Stuart-Smith.

"Reeve was a serving police officer and the man she encouraged to supply her was also a serving police officer."

She 'more than anyone' must have known the consequences of her actions and 'now I'm afraid has to meet those consequences', the judge concluded.