HAMPSHIRE'S former special police chief pleaded not guilty today to stealing money from the car parts company where he worked.

Satbir Giany, 37, who was awarded an MBE by the Queen, is accused of two counts of theft and one of false accounting.

He is alleged to have stolen £1,562 from Euro Car Parts Ltd in Farlington, Portsmouth and falsified a document relating to a payment received by the firm.

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Giany, of Walnut Avenue, Southampton, appeared in the dock at Guildford Crown Court today where he entered not guilty pleas to all three charges.

Judge Peter Moss granted him unconditional bail to appear back at the court on June 5 for a pre-trial review hearing. His trial will take place on June 22.

Giany, the father of three boys, was made an MBE in recognition of his voluntary contribution to community safety in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

He was suspended on October 13 last year after being charged, and resigned the following day.

Giany was appointed Hampshire Special Constabulary chief officer, a voluntary post, last March.

A car parts manager, he joined the Special Constabulary in 1989 and has worked at Southampton's Central police station for the past seven years.