Jail for police officer who lied

A police officer awarded thousands of pounds in compensation after lying about injures suffered while arresting criminals has been jailed for nine months.

PC William Milne, 44, from Hornchurch, Essex, claimed he suffered a broken jaw and severe neck and back bruising in repeated applications for taxpayers' money.

The Metropolitan Police constable, with three commendations to his credit, banked £4,050 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

His dishonesty was discovered when he appealed against the rejection of another claim.

Good record

That triggered a detailed study of his records and earlier, unsuccessful applications.

Passing sentence Judge Michael Carroll told Milne that despite his good police record immediate imprisonment was inevitable.

During his trial, Mark Palpenghi, prosecuting, told the court there was no doubt he had been injured in the line of duty.

But he foolishly resorted to dishonesty after two initial applications were turned down.

"He thought he could improve his prospects by being less truthful," Mr Palpenghi said.

Milne had also "deliberately lied" on three occasions when he told the board he had never claimed compensation before.

Milne was convicted of three counts of attempting to obtain property by deception between 1993 and 1996.