Former West Mercia officer dismissed after perverting the course of justice

A former West Mercia student officer has been formally dismissed following an accelerated gross misconduct hearing.

Joseph Mudd, aged 21, had already resigned from the role and will now be added to the College of Policing Barred List and not be employable by the UK Police Service.

Mudd had previously pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. He was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, as well as being ordered to pay a £170 surcharge and complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

The conviction came after he received a speeding ticket and then falsely claimed a family member was driving in order for them to take the points on their licence.

Temporary Chief Constable Richard Cooper said “ Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable in policing and by falsifying claims around a speeding ticket, Joseph Mudd demonstrated early in his policing career that he fell below these standards.

“He will always have to live with the consequences of those foolish actions. We will continue to ensure that the standards of professionalism that the public rightly expect are upheld.”

The hearing is subject to the usual appeal process.