A VOLUNTARY police officer from Stourbridge has been found guilty of fiddling his expenses while working for West Midlands Police.

Special Constable Mahesh Randeria, of Teasdale Way, claimed £1,343.50 more than he was entitled to between October 1 2010 and November 30 2013.

Birmingham Crown Court today heard the 51-year-old claimed petrol expenses for 226 separate journeys totalling £5,320.

From 2002 until August 2010 Randeria was travelling to a police station in Birmingham from Nuneaton, claiming expenses for a 61 to 62-mile round trip.

However, from October 2010 after splitting with his partner he was travelling from Stourbridge – a round trip of 30 miles – but continued to claim the higher amount.

West Midlands Police discovered Randeria was in excess of the correct mileage claim after his notebooks were checked during an audit.

Simon Hunka, defending, said Randeria was “not thinking like he should have been” after the breakup of his relationship.

He said: “He was not entitled to as much Refreshment Allowance as he thought and decided to keep his claims as they were.”

Mr Hunka said Randeria is a “very caring and considerate person” who “looked after his mother until she passed away in 2012 and continues to look after his friend who has cancer”.

He also said Randeria has struggled to find work since his case was first brought to Birmingham Magistrates Court in January and he had lost the trust of those who know him.

Mr Hunka added: “He is someone who has lost out. His loss has been significant even without sentencing.”

Passing sentence, Recorder John Edwards said Randeria’s act was “blatant dishonesty” over a prolonged period.

He said: “For many in this difficult time £1,300 is a considerable amount of money.

“To say you are morally entitled to over claim is risible. You were quite literally a special citizen and had a heightened responsibility in the community.

“You have let yourself down and you have let your badge down.”

Randeria, who is suspended from his role as a special, was handed a four-month suspended prison sentence, ordered to serve 180 hours of community service and pay back the £1,343.50 to West Midlands Police.

He will now be subject to an internal disciplinary process now that the criminal investigation is completed.

Chief Inspector Darren Walsh from the force’s professional standards department said: “Serving and protecting the public is paramount and it is vital that our communities have trust and confidence in everything that we do.

“Therefore, West Midlands Police demands the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and conduct from all police staff and police officers at all times.

“We take any allegations of dishonesty within our organisation very seriously and will take all appropriate measures to root out internal corruption.”