Our exclusive picture shows Phil Berry as he is released from prison

This is the moment a corrupt cop was released from prison – after being jailed for selling sensitive information to a drug dealer.


Philip Berry, 43, gave an A-to-Z booklet of Bolton drug dealers to convicted criminal Gary Knox in return for a £20,000 BMW and Premier League football tickets.


Berry was jailed for four years in March. The disgraced former Pc pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office, another count of misconduct in a public office and obtaining a money transfer by deception.


But Berry, of Ferncrest, Bolton, was released last week, only five months after he was sentenced, because of time spent on remand. The media was banned from publicising anything about his sentence and release until the completion of a string of failed multi-million pound court cases against Knox.


But the M.E.N successfully applied for reporting restrictions to be lifted. It means we can now reveal Berry’s sentence and the six years in jail handed to Knox after he was found guilty of conspiring to commit misconduct in a public office following the trial.


The M.E.N can also reveal that Berry’s betrayal compromised top officers in the Bolton division of GMP and put 63 drug dealers and police informants at risk – many of whom had to be given new identities.


Our reporter was waiting for Berry as he walked out of Kirkham prison in Lancashire after serving half his sentence.
Berry refused to comment during three days of police interviews.


But he told the M.E.N: "I am ashamed of what I have done. I’m really sorry. I’m deeply ashamed. I know I have let police in Bolton down. I just want to move on with my life now and try to put the past behind me."


The former Pc built up his corrupt relationship with Knox while working as an undercover cop in Bolton’s drugs squad.


But it was all undone when Knox told a traffic cop that Berry was working for him and driving one of his ‘Beemers’.


The boast prompted an investigation which ended with Berry being arrested at his home in July 2008. Knox’s BMW was in the drive. Officers later seized Berry’s hand-written directory of rival drug dealers from one of Knox’s other cars.


Texts between the pair revealed Knox gave Berry tickets to watch Bolton Wanderers.


When Berry was sentenced in March, Judge Peter Lakin told him: "You allowed yourself to be drawn into a serious relationship with Gary Knox, a man who you knew full well to be a hardened criminal and drug dealer.


"During your time as a field intelligence officer, you were able to amass a considerable amount of intelligence about local drug dealers. All of that you put into a book.



"You gave that book to Knox in exchange for the use of a BMW, an expensive car. You also requested money from him. It’s quite clear you intended this to be an on-going corrupt relationship from which you would benefit financially. Knox stood to gain substantially. You put him in a position to expand his drug-related criminal activities."


He said some of the informants put at risk had to be placed into witness protection, adding: "What you did for financial gain has had a very considerable impact on the lives of a number of people.


Through your behaviour you have tarnished the good name of Greater Manchester Police. And you have left your wife to pick up the pieces of the financial chaos you left behind."


Knox, 33, of Seathwaite Road, Farnworth, has a long criminal record including two convictions for drug trafficking. He lived a life of luxury and drove a Range Rover Sport with the registration KN07 OXY.
Jailing him for six years, Judge Lakin told him: "You are a man with a substantial antecedent record. You embarked on this corrupt relationship with Berry with your arms wide open and with enthusiasm."


He added: "There was in my view a meeting of minds between two thoroughly dishonest men. You aimed to use your relationship with Berry and information in the book to support and enhance your criminal lifestyle... you are a devious and manipulative criminal."


Knox’s co-accused, Philip Meiring, 33, of Dickenson Street, Bolton, was jailed for five years and four months after he pleaded guilty to being concerned in supply of the heroin and also admitting burgling a next-door neighbour.