Jury retires in trial of Sunderland police officer accused of passing information to drugs dealer

Intelligence officer PC Gary Christie is accused of passing confidential police information to drugs dealer Asa Dobbing.

Christie is also accused of taking part in a conspiracy to supply cocaine, of which Dobbing and others have already been convicted.

The jury at Teesside Crown Court heard Christie conceded he knew Dobbing and socialised with him, but he denied passing on any information about police inquiries into the cocaine dealing.

Christie, 42, of Silksworth Lane, Sunderland, denies misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to supply class A drugs between August 2012 and April 2014.

Dobbing, 37, of Ryhope Grange Court, Sunderland, denies aiding abetting a person to commit misconduct in public office.

He declined to give evidence in his defence.

Proceeding.