A former student officer has been sentenced after perverting the course of justice.

Joseph Mudd, 19, has been sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months.

It comes after the former West Mercia student received a speeding ticket and falsely claimed a family member had been driving so that they would take the points on their licence.

Deputy chief constable Alex Murray said: “The public expect the very highest standards of professional behaviour and integrity from police officers and rightfully so.

“We will not hesitate to investigate criminal offences that come to light as we would with any member of the public.”

Mudd’s offences were identified when his fellow student officers raised concerns.

He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice at Worcester Magistrates Court on February 9.

Yesterday (Wednesday March 22) Mudd, who has since resigned from the force was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court.

Misconduct proceedings will now take place, West Mercia Police has confirmed.