You're missing a crucial piece of the puzzle here. Own brand doughnuts (usually baked on premises) are about 65p a packet of five/six. Also, we're either talking about loose carrots, or Value brand mis-shapen offcuts. Packaged and prepared Chantenay will set you back a couple of quid or so.
What the fuck does the fact he served in the army have to do with anything? Ever seen a gang of squaddies descend on a town on a night out?
.... and they look so happy, too
All these things would be put before a jury referencing his character other people would see this as a positive, just because you don’t agree it doesn’t mean everyone will. We have a jury system innocent until proven guilty it should of gone to trial.
You don't waste public money of that magnitude on a £10 crime. He is likely to be seen on camera swapping the stickers, and even admitted to swapping them. It is bang to rights, and his excuse is laughable.
Unfortunately his character, good or bad, would soon be forgotten by a jury watching cctv footage of a bent copper swapping bar codes in order to save a few quid.
The police will always take the option of an internal disciplinary over a criminal charge against one of their own 99 times out of 100. Only when its some serious serious shit do they reluctantly hand it over. They believe different rules apply to themselves and they try to deal with as much as possible in house without the public ever finding out about it.
Prison?? Behave.....he is a dickhead who made a very bad decision,who has ultimately lost the profession he worked very hard to achieve,and the respect of many.