News
23 July 2010
 |
| Craig Shurmur |
A crooked traffic warden caught peddling drugs on the streets of Redbridge has a "number of convictions" for car crime.
Craig Shurmur, 30, was jailed for 36 weeks on Monday after he was caught selling three bags of potent skunk cannabis to an undercover journalist.
Abdullah Al-Yunusi, prosecuting, said: "It was certainly a surprise to me that someone with his convictions would have been employed, bearing in mind there are a number of convictions for violence and theft of motor vehicles."
Shurmur was supplied to Redbridge Council through parking enforcement contractor APCOA.
Town hall bosses are upset proper background checks were not done.
Council leader Cllr Keith Prince said: "I am very disappointed after we put our trust in this agency. They have not been as robust as they should."
Company director Graham Morphew said all existing and new employees will have a Criminal Records Bureau check but did not explain why this wasn't done before.
He said: "We were obviously very shocked and disappointed that someone would abuse their position in this way."
He added: "We are pleased with the outcome of the court hearing and hope that it serves as a deterrent to anyone considering illegal activity."
Shurmur was filmed with his colleague Trevor Benjamin meeting the reporter in Ilford in January. He told police he bought five bags from his dealer and sold three at an inflated price to pay for his own supply, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
Judge Inigo Bing said: "Parking inforcement officers carry authority. They wear a uniform and as such as distinguishable from ordinary members of the public."
Shurmur, of Wellington Drive, Dagenham, admitted supplying a controlled class B drug. Benjamin, 25, of Taunton Close, Hainault, was jailed for a day after admitting possession of a class B drug.
Misconduct charges relating to allegations they told the reporter they could revoke his parking tickets were dropped.
The men have been sacked and the council will continue to use the company.
DOMINIC WIGGAN