A POLICE computer technician used an intelligence database more than 800 times to check up on friends and people living near him.

Christopher Payne, who was working for Essex Police, repeatedly accessed confidential information, mainly entries on suspected drug dealers.

Chelmsford Crown Court was told he had called up the data to “help take his mind off his own problems” and because he “suffered from a lack of work”.

His activities came to light last November after he made an allegation he had been assaulted by two friends who accused him of stealing from them.

Richard Potts, prosecuting, said that when police questioned the two men, they told officers that Payne had previously told them about personal information he accessed from police records. Officers checked Payne’s computer and found he had searched the intelligence database 800 times since January 2007.

Mr Potts said the database held “sensitive” information about suspected criminals.

Mr Potts added: “Payne would only normally access it when helping a colleague with a technical problem, and had no lawful reason to view the information himself.”

The 33-year-old admitted obtaining personal data between January 2007 and November 2008, and two counts of disclosing personal data. Payne, who has worked for the force since June 2005, has been suspended on full pay.

Sophie Shotton, mitigating, said Payne had looked up information about friends and suspected criminals near where he was living in Upper Chase, Chelmsford.

She said: “He was bored at work and also suffering personal problems and depression.

“He felt he had no-one to share his problems with, but is now receiving counselling and medication.

“He expects to lose his job and knows he will have great difficulty obtaining employment again in the computer field.”

Judge Rodger Hayward Smith said he was “astonished” the law only allowed him to fine Payne for such “a potentially dangerous breach of trust”.

He ordered a full disclosure of Payne’s finances since January 2007, ahead of sentencing him on August 25.

Payne, who has since moved to Gillingham, in Kent, was released on bail.