A senior woman police officer appeared in court yesterday accused of shoplifting make-up.

Chief Inspector Kim Molloy, regarded as a ‘rising star’ within Nottinghamshire police, was stopped by security staff leaving a Tesco Extra in Top Valley on November 24.

After questioning by fellow officers, the 44-year-old was charged with theft.

It is alleged she stole Max Factor cosmetics worth £12.72.

She was not asked to enter a plea when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court yesterday, and spoke only to confirm her name and address.

Her solicitor Ian Townsend told magistrates: ‘She is a serving police officer who clearly faces serious allegations given the nature of her position.’

CCTV evidence would form an important part of the case, he added. Molloy was head of a community engagement committee as part of the force’s offender management programme in Mansfield at the time of the alleged theft.

She has since been suspended.

An officer for almost 20 years, she was made chief inspector of the South Nottinghamshire division in 2006. Two years later she was responsible for a controversial review of the role of the county’s special constabulary.

It resulted in many special police leaving, after their involvement as response officers was dramatically cut in light of her recommendations.

Molloy has also campaigned for greater diversity within Nottinghamshire police, and advised other WPCs on how to build their confidence and get promoted.

Nottingham was condemned as Britain’s most crime-ridden city in 2006, when it had nearly four times as many crimes per 1,000 people as the safest area, Southend.

At the same time, corruption within Nottinghamshire Police was rife. In 2006, former officer Charles Fletcher was jailed for passing data to suspected criminals, including details of the investigation into the murder of Nottingham jeweller Marian Bates.
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