British dickless Tracy who refused to pay a £24 taxi fare and fled after a 'social night out with colleagues' has been kicked out of the force

PC Nicola Elston, 30, was 'jaded through drink' when she refused to pay the cab fare in Croydon, a Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) misconduct hearing was told.

The Lambeth-based officer was also accused of threatening and punching the taxi driver in the stomach but cleared after an earlier trial at Southwark Crown court.

She had initially claimed that she was also innocent of theft but the jury convicted her after a three-day trial, allowing the MPS to conclude the disciplinary proceedings.

Summarising the charge at the tribunal, Assistant Commissioner Helen King said: ‘It was alleged that you were requested for payment by Mr Ali (the driver) and alighted the vehicle.

‘Mr Ali repeated his request for payment and you threatened to punch him. ‘He alleged that you punched him and he saw you enter an address. You were arrested later that same night.’

In a statement, Elston said: ‘I apologise for this matter and, in hindsight, I should have dealt with it in a different manner. ‘I accept that it is hard to continue to employ me, especially if I was asked to give evidence in court and would have to declare any convictions.’

The hearing was told that Elston, who was working for the Missing Persons Unit in Brixton while placed under restrictions, had drunk ‘a considerable amount of alcohol’.

She claimed that she had the correct amount for the fare and had left it in the cab. ‘I said that I left it there when the driver started shouting at me,’ Elston said.

‘I didn’t make the driver drive round the corner, he stopped about 10, 15 metres away [from the address].’

Sergeant Michael Kirk, for the Metropolitan Police, said: ‘On 27 June 2015, PC Elston returned home after a social evening with colleagues.

‘The price had been agreed in advance. The cab driver requested money owed to him and PC Elston refused to pay. Eventually, he called the police.

‘When police knocked at the address she had entered, PC Elston didn’t answer the door. She was later arrested.’

Sergeant James Southgate, representing Elston, said: ‘She does agree that her conduct amounts to gross misconduct and she is embarrassed by the fact that it has brought embarrassment on the Metropolitan Police.

‘She believed what she was doing was correct at the time, although jaded through drink.

‘Prior to joining the police, PC Elston went to Anglia Ruskin University where she studied for a BSc in forensic biology.

‘She immediately applied for the MPS and, while waiting to start, worked for an insurance company.

‘Since the incident, she has carried on attending work and working hard in the Missing Persons Unit.

‘I don’t wish to go over the trial and re-examine evidence, but I must mention some relevant points. She still disagrees with the outcome of the trial.

‘She left the money in the cab as the driver became threatening.

‘She told me if she is allowed to continue she would want to get the Gangs Unit and Missing Persons and CSE Units to work together.’

Handing down the decision, AC Helen King said: ‘PC Elston has provided strong evidence from colleagues and supervisors that she is a capable, courageous and hard-working officer. ‘This was not planned in any way. There is no suggestion that she intended to abuse her position

‘She was placed on restrictions and, to her credit, remained in the workplace and also to her credit retains the support of the borough commander.

‘However, I have to consider very carefully the aggravating features and what London rightfully expects of a Metropolitan Police officer.  ‘She didn’t accept responsibility for her actions in pleading guilty and was subsequently found guilty by a jury [of theft].

‘She gave evidence that made allegations against the taxi driver. PC Elston has continued to push blame onto others.

‘Officers recognise that convictions represent significant barrier to remaining as a police officer.  ‘I have come to the conclusion that the only appropriate outcome is dismissal without notice.’

Elston admitted her actions constituted gross misconduct. She was dismissed without notice.

Original report here


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