A police officer accused of making off from a petrol station without paying for fuel has been cleared of gross misconduct.

PC Barnden, who allegedly failed to pay for petrol for his personal car on three separate occasions last year, was found to be in breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of “honesty and integrity” and “discreditable conduct.”

However he was not found to have committed gross misconduct.

On September 26 PC Barnden visited a petrol station at Stansted Airport and filled his vehicle with £51.48 worth of petrol. He bought snacks but left without paying for his fuel.

At the same station on October 1 he took £25.05 worth of petrol, and £50.28 worth on November 15.

PC James Barnden, based at the East Area Command Unit in Barking and Dagenham, will now attend a hearing with senior officers in the borough.