A SACKED police officer jailed for helping to set up a cannabis factory has launched a legal appeal against Dorset Police for cutting his pension.

Former detective Michael Newson, 43, of Knightsland Close, Ferndown, was dismissed from the force after being sentenced to six years in prison for his part in a multi-million-pound drug-growing venture based in a Dorset factory.

An appeal court in Dorchester heard the Home Office deferred his pension until the age of 60 - he was expecting payments to start in his mid-50s - following his convictions because they showed "a lack of confidence in public service".

Dorset Police later announced a reduction of almost 40 per cent - amounting to £2,000 a year - for the first 10 years of his pension.

Paul Cairnes, for Dorset Police, told magistrates that Newson was convicted in March 2001 of conspiring to produce and supply cannabis, unlawful possession and supply of cannabis and illegal use of the police computer system to check he was not being kept under surveillance.

He said the Home Office issued a certificate on September 2002, which delayed the start of his pension.

Newson was not informed that Dorset Police had decided to lower his payments until almost a year later, the court was told.

Tom Wilkins, representing Newson, said the reduction was "a double punishment" because his client had already served a prison sentence and this amounted to an extra financial penalty for the offences.

He added that Newson had not profited from the drug scam.

Mr Wilkins said: "The total loss over 10 years would be £20,000. In other words this is a drop of £40 a week at the age of 60.

"The public would say that he has been punished enough already."

He said removal of pension rights was not taken into consideration when Newson was sentenced four years ago.

Mr Wilkins added that the drop in pension pay would affect Newson's wife and children, and the police's delay in informing him of their decision caused him "worry and uncertainty".

The court was told Newson - who now receives incapacity benefit - was in the Royal Air Force before joining the police.

Recorder Nigel Seed QC said a judgement on the case would be made on June 3.

First published: May 10