ST. CATHARINES, Ont. A southern Ontario police constable who leaked confidential information and police documents to the Hells Angels is headed to prison.

Const. Dean Rudge was convicted last August of breach of trust by a public officer for passing information to the motorcycle club between August 2004 and September 2006.

Justice P.B. Hambly sentenced Rudge - a Niagara Regional Police officer - to four years in prison at a sentencing hearing on Wednesday.

Police Chief Jeff McGuire says Rudge's future employment with the force will be addressed through the discipline process under the Police Services Act.

Rudge had been suspended with pay since April 4, 2007 and McGuire says now that he has been sentenced, Rudge is suspended without pay.

McGuire says his force will now continue to work to restore the trust that has been damaged by Rudge's actions.

"Whenever a police officer is involved in a criminal act, or any other act that violates their sworn oath of office, the reputation of the service is tarnished and public trust is lost," McGuire said.