Former Police Officer Sentenced To 11 Years

A former police officer has been sentenced to 11 years for attempted possession of a firearm and ammunition, numerous drugs-related charges and perverting the course of justice.

Allen Kennedy, aged 31, was ordered to serve five and a half years in prison and five and a half years on licence at Downpatrick Magistrates Court.

He pleaded guilty in October to attempted possession of a firearm and ammunition, namely a 9mm handgun, silencer and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition without a certificate.

He also pleaded guilty to numerous drugs possession charges relating to cannabis, MDMA and cocaine, and possession with intent to supply in relation to the cocaine, as well as a previous charge of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Kennedy was arrested in March 2014 for offences relating to perverting the course of justice and misconduct in a public office and was suspended. During his suspension he was involved in the purchase of drugs and drug paraphernalia and attempted to purchase a 9mm pistol, a silencer and 10 rounds of ammunition. For some of the purchases he used the 'dark web' and in particular the 'dark net' to access different sites.

The PSNI conducted a covert investigation into the activities of Mr Kennedy. This culminated on the morning of 05 September, 2016, when he handed over £500 for a package he thought contained a 9mm pistol, silencer and 10 rounds of ammunition which led to his arrest.

Officers then carried out a search of a vehicle driven by Mr Kennedy which uncovered two hides disguised as a drinks tin and a WD40 tin containing a total of 13 dealer bags of white powder. Further examination confirmed the white powder was cocaine. The search also uncovered three empty hides disguised as batteries, a collection of suspected dealer bags and three mobile phones.

An examination of mobile devices seized from Mr Kennedy showed evidence of communication involving the attempted purchase of the firearm while text messages on another phone were associated with someone involved in the supply of controlled drugs.

During searches of two properties in the North Down area, police found further evidence drugs hides disguised as drinks tins, 'dealer' bags of suspected Class A drugs and various other drugs which were confirmed as cocaine, MDMA and cannabis, as well as documentation associated with use of 'dark net' market places. Police also recovered fifty 9mm rounds.

(CD/MH)