A high-ranking police officer who used his force's credit card to buy items for his own use was sentenced to three years in prison today.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Salkeld, 42, was last month found guilty of 11 counts of theft, obtaining property by deception and obtaining a money transfer by deception, which relate to him using his Sussex Police force credit card to buy a number of personal goods over a nine-month period.

During the five-week trial, a jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard how Salkeld, who has now resigned from his senior role in the South East Regional Intelligence Unit, used the card to buy items including a mini fridge and a designer watch between June 2005 and February 2006.

Salkeld also took out a £1,100 grant from the Sussex Police Welfare Fund, which he spent on caravanning equipment, and dishonestly accepted five years' worth of payments from Brighton and Hove City Council, which were supposed to be paying for the care of elderly widow Eileen Savage.

He was cleared, however, of a further five counts of theft and obtaining property by deception, concerning dementia-sufferer Mrs Savage, 93, and the jury was dismissed after failing to reach a verdict over a further three charges of theft from her.

Prior to sentencing him, Judge Andrew Macdonald said that the total sum of £96,950.78, which Brighton and Hove City Council had spent on Mrs Savage's care between August 2001 and January 2006, should have been paid by Salkeld.

He said that he had "knowingly misled" the authority by saying he could not afford to pay for her care himself, as he had access to Mrs Savage's substantial savings after having been made power of attorney over her estate.

Judge Macdonald said: "Instead he spent that money on himself and on his family on things including luxuries."

Judge Macdonald also brought attention to the charge relating to Salkeld's obtaining a £1,100 grant from the Sussex Police Welfare Fund, which was usually used as a resource for widows and those injured in service, referring to it as a "truly repulsive offence."

During mitigation, defence barrister David Jubb, said that Salkeld was unable to explain why he had committed the crimes, but that he had been under a lot of stress brought on by his heavy workload and the responsibility he carried.

He said that after his arrest he had suffered a mental breakdown, a condition which he was still receiving treatment for to this date.

However, this was dismissed by Judge Andrew Macdonald, who said that claims made by Salkeld that his mind was like "jelly" during the time of the crimes were unsubstantiated and he added that Salkeld had shown no remorse by pleading not guilty to all the offences.

Dressed in a dark grey suit with a red tie, Salkeld looked strained as the sentence was read out.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Superintendent Steve Fowler, of Sussex Police, who carried out the investigation, said: "Further proceedings are now expected in respect of obtaining compensation for the council and Sussex Police, which amounts to approximately £100,000."

He added: "It's embarrassing that a member of Sussex Police has stood trial in these circumstances. I don't believe for one minute that this reflects on Sussex Police. It reflects on one individual - one greedy, dishonest individual."

Judge Macdonald ordered an asset confiscation hearing to take place at a later date.