Investigating police officer denies swindle over flat rents

Detective Constable Daren Pooley, 41, allegedly "swindled" the cost of apartments in Leeds as part of a money-making enterprise.

But, giving evidence at Southwark Crown Court, in London, Pooley told the jury he had "never discussed" the rates that would be charged.

Along with his wife, Nicola, 38, and her sister, Michelle Butler, 49, he denies conspiracy to defraud between April 1 2006 and September 30 2007.

The court heard Pooley was one of a number of officers sent on a long-term deployment to Leeds following the terrorist attacks on the capital in 2005.

It was initially costing 3,500 a month per officer to stay in hotels. To save money, the two teams of officers moved into apartments, at a cost of around 2,000 a month each.

Four properties were taken on at an initial rent of 650 each a month but the Met was charged three times that amount, the prosecution said.

It is alleged Pooley, his wife and Butler "spotted the opportunity" for profit.

Pooley said he was aware of the price the Met was paying for the properties but was not involved in negotiations over the cost.

"I never discussed that," he said.

"I didn't see it as a significant amount of money. We needed accommodation and had been provided with accommodation.

"In my mind, it was serviced accommodation which, unfortunately, is expensive."

The court heard Pooley's wife had a "financial interest" in a company that was involved in renting the properties.

But Pooley said he had no knowledge of that until he was told by police who arrested him on May 12 last year. He said he had already told senior officers that his wife's brother-in-law was involved in the firm.

Asked his reaction to being told of the link, he said: "I didn't think anything of it."

He said he passed on the information to his senior officer and assumed it had been relayed "up the chain of command".

The trial continues today.