A Guardia Civil Trafico officer in Utrera, Sevilla, has been sentenced to two months in prison for stealing a car radio-telephone and two breathalisers, valued at €1,159.
The incident occurred in 2005 when the officer, at the end of his shift, first stole two digital breathaliser units and hid them in his locker. He then went to the garage and removed a radio-telephone from one of the police vehicles.
As he tried to leave the building he was stopped and the stolen goods were eventually handed back,
The officer was accused of misappropriation of public funds and, by not contesting the charges, the case never went before a jury.
The two month prison sentence was then converted to a fine of €280 (four months and 20 days at €2 per day) and a suspension of employment, without pay, for three months. The accused must also pay all the legal costs involved in the case.
In reaching a decision, consideration was given to the fact that the officer returned the stolen goods.