A former police officer has been charged with fraud after allegedly syphoning off more than £82,000, from the private investigation firm he worked for.

Roland Barber, 60, had worked for Kent Police for 25 years before being employed as a private investigator at TMC (Transport Management Consultants) Assist Limited, in Strood.

Barber, of Blean Common, Blean, near Canterbury, has been charged with fraud and fraud by abuse of position.

Barber was working as a motorway patrol cop based at Coldharbour, near Maidstone, before his retirement, five years ago.

Since then he has been working for the company, in Culpepper Close, Medway City Estate, Strood, as a private investigator.

Barber, pictured here picking up a Chief Constable's police merit award in 2002, worked for the company on a part-time basis as a trainer while he was still employed by the force.

He was arrested in September last year after an investigation at the firm.

A spokesman for Medway Police said: "The charge follows an investigation at Transport Management Consultants Limited.

"Barber has been released on bail and is due to appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on, Wednesday, July 21."