'Lying' Pc condemned by judge

Christopher Watkins will be dismissed by Gwent Police

A policeman convicted of lying on oath has been told by a judge that he has disgraced himself and the force.

Pc Christopher Watkins, 40, will now be sacked by Gwent Police.

Watkins was given a six-month suspended sentence and told to pay £1,000 costs at Cardiff Crown Court.

His solicitor told the court that it was the worst day of Watkins' life.

Watkins, of Abergavenny, south Wales, was found guilty at an earlier hearing of telling a "deliberate lie" during the trial of a man for of a public order offence.

He had claimed at Abervavenny magistrates' court in the trial of Graham Jones, 43, that only two police officers - himself and Pc Neil Martin - were at the scene.

Perjury is one of the most serious offences because it undermines the whole basis of the administration of justice

Judge John Griffith Williams

But the trial collapsed when a third officer came forward to say he was there.

Watkins and Pc Martin were later cleared at Cardiff Crown Court of assaulting Mr Jones. But Watkins was found guilty of perjury by a jury.

Judge John Griffith Williams QC told him: "Perjury is one of the most serious offences because it undermines the whole basis of the administration of justice.

"Police officers should know better.

"You will have to bear the consequences of your own disgrace and the knowledge that you have brought disgrace on the police."

Gwent Police confirmed that Watkins will face a disciplinary hearing and be formally dismissed from the force.

This has been the worst day of his life but we...are confident that in due course Watkins' name will be lifted from the gutter

Solicitor Colin Davis

The judge was told that his wife had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and his family had suffered taunts since his conviction.

Watkins was in the Metropolitan Police before joining the Gwent force, but the court heard that his career was now over.

Stuart Stevens, defending, said: "The police was his whole life but now he will have to pick up the threads and try to find another job, which at his age will not be easy."

Watkins' solicitor Colin Davis said after the case: "This has been the worst day of his life but we have filed an appeal and are confident that in due course Watkins' name will be lifted from the gutter."