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A former detective who was responsible for handling exhibits within her police unit has been sentenced to prison after stealing over £85,000 from her own force. Michelle Kirsty Reason, who worked in a team focused on investigating major drug trafficking operations, unlawfully took money that had been confiscated from criminals. Derbyshire Police revealed that Reason had exclusive access to a safe containing substantial sums of seized cash.
Beginning in January 2022, Reason, who was the exhibits officer based in Ripley, exploited her role to divert funds. After managing a significant cash seizure totaling approximately £350,000, she initially took £15,000. Once she realized her thefts were not being detected, she continued to take money regularly until her departure from the force in December 2025. The stolen money was used to fund personal purchases, including a vehicle, a holiday, and event tickets.
The irregularities came to light when officers began a review of the confiscated exhibits in preparation for an upcoming trial. Upon being confronted with the discrepancies, Reason voluntarily confessed at St Mary’s Wharf police station, providing a detailed explanation of the amounts taken. She even presented the empty evidence bags from which the cash had been stolen.
At her hearing in Mansfield Crown Court, Reason pled guilty to charges of theft and misconduct in public office. The total amount taken included £87,174.05 in cash, €1,620, and £114 in Albanian lek. Temporary Deputy Chief Constable Michelle Shooter condemned Reason’s betrayal of trust, stating, “She broke the trust that we as a force put in her, and broke the trust that the public puts in officers to conduct themselves in a right and proper way.” A subsequent hearing related to the Proceeds of Crime Act has been scheduled for April 9
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