'The offence was created by the actions of the newspaper'

The father of footballer John Terry has been given a suspended six-month sentence (plus community service and a fine) for selling cocaine.

As that offence can carry a jail-term of up to 14 years, the judge in the case, Christopher Mitchell, explained the reason for the sentence:

"It is a very, very clear case of entrapment solely to create a newspaper story...

"The facts in this case are highly unusual. In fact the offence was actually created by the actions of the newspaper sending a journalist to set you up. It is clearly an entrapment case and the only reason they did this was to create a story because of your connections to a well known footballer."

And the newspaper in question? Who else but the News of the World.

Roy Greenslade considers what the PCC should do now, given the judge's clear verdict on the tabloid's methods.