Policeman's asset confiscation hearing held

10:30am Friday 18th July 2008

The asset confiscation hearing of a former senior police officer who used his force credit card to buy goods for himself will take place today.

Det Chief Insp Peter Salkeld, 42, was sentenced to three years in prison in March after a jury found him guilty of 11 counts of theft, obtaining property by deception and obtaining a money transfer by deception at Maidstone Crown Court.

Salkeld used his Sussex Police force credit card to buy a number of personal goods, including a mini-fridge and a designer watch, over a nine-month period and also took out a £1,100 grant from the Sussex Police Welfare Fund, which he spent on caravanning equipment.

He also dishonestly accepted five years' worth of payments from Brighton and Hove City Council, which were meant to pay for the care of elderly widow Eileen Savage and amounted to a total sum of £96,950.78.

During sentencing, Judge Andrew Macdonald said Salkeld "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.

Salkeld, formerly of The Avenue, Shoreham, West Sussex, 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.

The confiscation hearing will take place at Maidstone Crown Court today.

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