A Bexleyheath police officer is facing jail after tipping off his son who was spotted on CCTV close to the scene of a mugging in Sidcup.

Detective Sergeant Darren McCabe, 50, was allegedly taken aside by friend and colleague Det Sgt Mark Edgley, 47, who was accused of telling him his son was "going to get nicked".

Southwark Crown Court heard two boys had been caught on camera attempting to steal a shoulder bag from a pedestrian, while McCabe's son stood and watched.

Iain Forbes, a trainee detective constable at the time, was handling the investigation into the attempted theft.

He became "troubled" when he spotted it was his superior's son and sought advice from Mr Edgley, jurors heard.

The court heard the teenager was at risk of being identified from the "distinctive clothing" he wore at the time of the attempted theft, and his wardrobe would have been searched when he was arrested.

McCabe allegedly set out to reveal details of the clothing his son was wearing to his wife and son.

 

In recorded phone calls, McCabe told his wife: "You can't disclose any of this I'm telling you as I'm trying to help our son."

Mr Edgley and McCabe, both based at Bexleyheath police station, denied doing acts which had a tendency to pervert the course of justice between February 12, 2013 and February 15 last year.

McCabe was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court yesterday (March 18) but was released on bail until tomorrow (March 20) to allow him to explain to his son the likelihood of him serving a prison sentence.

Adjourning the case, Judge David Higgins said: "He does understand that his father is on trial, or under scrutiny, and the consequences of that are likely to be incarceration but he does not understand this would be immediate."

Mr Edgely was acquitted at the same court yesterday (March 18).

McCabe's son was not prosecuted following the investigation into the alleged attempted theft.