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A formmer police officer has been jailed for 12 months for. Gambling addict John Fleet stole the slips, worth a combined £59.21 ($96) , from the body of Stephen Lawrence who had died suddenly at his home of natural causes.

Fleet, with Devon and Cornwall Police, was sent to help with the removal of the body and the court heard he took the two slips and cashed them the following day. He was caught when Mr Lawrence’s sister, Diane Adams, later visited the same bookmakers and was told by staff a man had collected her brother’s winnings. The court heard Fleet, who has resigned from the force, then contacted Mrs Adams to try to get her to withdraw the complaint. He also changed the police log to say the incident was dealt with and was closed.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to theft and perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced to two months for the theft and 12 months for perverting the course of justice, to run concurrently.