Police officer jailed for making bogus insurance claim
A TRAFFIC cop has been jailed for a year after making a bogus insurance claim. Ex-army officer Richard Wilmot-Day forged an invoice for repairs that had not been done after a motorbike crash in Biggleswade. He bolstered his claim by stating the accident
A TRAFFIC cop has been jailed for a year after making a bogus insurance claim.
Ex-army officer Richard Wilmot-Day forged an invoice for repairs that had not been done after a motorbike crash in Biggleswade.
He bolstered his claim by stating the accident was more extensive than it actually was.
And he even took the matter to county court, and later blamed others for the forgery.
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Judge Geoffrey Breen told the 49-year-old he showed a "breathtaking degree of arrogance" as he sentenced him at St Albans Crown Court last Thursday.
He had been found guilty by a jury last month of using a false instrument and perverting the course of justice.
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Wilmot-Day, a serving Hertfordshire officer, had represented himself at the two-week trial.
Judge Breen told him: "You had the opportunity to bow out but you didn't take it.
"You sought to cast blame for the forgery on others and repeatedly lied to a judge in the county court."
Married Wilmot-Day, of Sunderland Hall Farm off the road between Biggleswade and Dunton, previously had an exemplary 23 year career with the police and army. He had served in the Falklands and Northern Ireland.
He had also completed charity work for the Prince's Trust by piloting helicopters for Prince Charles.
Jailing Wilmot-Day for 12 months, Judge Breen said: "When an officer of the law behaves as disgracefully as you have throughout this matter, I'm afraid the background of a good character carries little weight.
"You were the author of your own downfall."
Wilmot-Day now faces being sacked from his job.
Assistant chief constable of Herts Police Simon Parr said: "It is always regrettable when a police officer is convicted of such a serious offence, and when allegations emerged around Richard Wilmot-Day we acted swiftly.
"Hertfordshire Constabulary does not tolerate corruption amongst its staff and measures are in place to detect inappropriate conduct.
"We always investigate allegations against a member of staff and have confidential reporting systems to enable this process.
"Any member of staff convicted of criminal offences knows they may face a penalty of immediate dismissal following a discipline hearing.
