A West Midland police officer accused of theft has told a court he ripped up money he had found in the car of a burglary suspect and threw it out of the window.

PC Dean Bonner, based at Bournville police station, said he believed he was justified in doing so at the time.

It is alleged the 31-year-old stole the cash which had been deliberately placed in the vehicle to test his honesty as part of a police operation.

PC Bonner has denied theft and misconduct in a public office.

Giving evidence at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday PC Bonner said he had taken medication, started drinking and seen a psychiatrist as a result of a “difficult” relationship with his father.

He said that he needed help and that he had “bad” days at work.

Asked whether he had told the truth when interviewed about taking the money he said: “For me it had come to a head. I had the opportunity to let officers know this is what it is about.”

And asked about tearing the money up he said: “I think it was inappropriate and outrageous. I have never denied that. I did what I did, but I felt right and justified.”

Peter Cooke, prosecuting, said the officer took the cash after he was told to search a Ford Mondeo parked at Selly Oak railway station on August 12 last year.

He said £50 in marked bank notes had been placed inside a wallet, which was put in the glove compartment of the vehicle that had been fitted with covert recording equipment.

Mr Cooke said PC Bonner stole the cash and dumped the wallet before returning to the police station, where he failed to include the finding of the cash while filling out paper work.

Mr Cooke said when the officer realised something was wrong he disposed of the money, probably flushing it down a toilet.

When later interviewed PC Bonner admitted taking the money saying that he had irrational feelings of anger towards the “burglar” and felt the only way to inconvenience him was to tear the money, that he had found, up.

(Proceeding)