A former Montgomery County police officer who admitted stealing evidence and having informants buy him drugs has been given 11 1/2 months in county prison.

43-year-old John Becker, formerly of Horsham, can serve most of his time under electronically-monitored house arrest.  He must also spend seven years on probation and pay $21,000 in restitution.

He pleaded guilty earlier this year to felony theft and other offenses.  He was a detective sergeant with the Hatboro Police Department when the crimes occurred over about an eight-year period ending early last year.

Prosecutors say he committed the crimes to feed his own addiction.  He has since gone through both inpatient and outpatient treatment and is on schedule to graduate from Drexel University in June with a degree in behavioral health counseling and a job waiting for him.