Police officer accused of £3,500 blackmail scheme

Marie Thompson, a police constable at South Yorkshire Police, will appear at crown court in August

A South Yorkshire Police officer has appeared in court accused of blackmailing a man into handing over £3,500 and of making false notebook entries.

Marie Thompson, 28, of Andover Street, Sheffield, had worked as a police constable in Doncaster until she was arrested in October 2023 and suspended from duties.

She appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, charged with blackmail and perverting the course of justice, and was bailed until her next appearance at Leeds Crown Court on 26 August.

Det Sup James Axe, head of Professional Standards, said any officer found to be guilty of criminal offences or misconduct would be "dealt with appropriately".

The charges against PC Thompson came following an investigation by the force's Professional Standards Department and relate to an alleged wrongful handling of an investigation, police said.

An internal misconduct investigation is also being carried out alongside the criminal investigation.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North