Ben Cooke, a 34-year-old former police sergeant from Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was sentenced to six years and four months in prison after being convicted of theft, burglary, and corruption. Cooke, a ten-year veteran of the police force, exploited his position to plan and commit crimes, using confidential police data for personal gain.
In January and February 2024, Cooke accessed police records and learned that a suspect was believed to have £60,000 in a safe. Seizing the opportunity, he decided to steal the safe, convinced it contained the large sum. Cooke entered the home of Joanne Watkins while she was in the shower, took the safe, and left with it. Despite his claims, the safe was never recovered, and it remains missing.
Cooke pled guilty to several crimes, including burglary, attempted burglary, improper use of police powers, and unauthorized access to computer systems for criminal purposes. His actions were exposed during an investigation, which highlights the risks of corruption within law enforcement and the abuse of power by those in trusted positions.
In his criminal act, Cooke pretended to have a search warrant related to drug offenses, but he refused to show it to Ms. Watkins. He insisted that she remain on the sofa while he conducted the search. After the theft, Ms. Watkins called her husband, who took the safe keys to the police station. However, he was told that no officer had been dispatched to their home.
When questioned, Cooke claimed that he had left the safe in a nearby waste area, but it has never been located. South Wales Police’s chief constable condemned Cooke’s actions as “wholly unacceptable” and promised a full investigation into the corruption within the force.
In a separate incident, Cooke was involved in the theft of over £16,000 from a sudden death scene. After returning the money to the deceased man’s sister, Eileen Price, Cooke stole a key to her house. Surveillance footage later showed him near her home in Pencoed, where he attempted to use the key to break into her house. Cooke later pretended to be from the coroner’s office in an effort to manipulate Mrs. Price, claiming there was an issue with her brother’s post-mortem.
During a police search of his property, Cooke’s involvement in the crime was confirmed through evidence, including the key and a rucksack seen in the CCTV footage. On February 9, Cooke called the South Wales Police’s anti-corruption unit and admitted to his crimes, stating he had been “blackmailed” and was “in fear.”
In her victim statement, Ms. Watkins expressed the emotional toll Cooke’s actions took on her, saying that he had “taken my self-esteem, confidence, and trust in the law.” The judge, Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, emphasized that Cooke had made “deliberate, conscious, and pre-meditated attempts” to harm the reputation of the South Wales Police.
South Wales Police Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan noted that Cooke had “let himself and the police service down badly,” destroying public trust in the law enforcement community. He added that Cooke had written a personal letter of apology to Ms. Watkins, expressing deep regret for his actions.
Cooke’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the damage that can be done when those in positions of power abuse their authority, leaving lasting consequences for victims and the integrity of the police force.
