Police worker sentenced for speeding fine cover-up

Kasey Howarth took the blame for a speeding ticket she was not responsible for

A police worker responsible for processing speeding tickets has been given a suspended sentence after falsely claiming to be the driver of a speeding Ford Transit.

Kasey Howarth, 43, pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after saying she was driving the van instead of co-accused James Burrow, 45.

Howarth, who was working for West Yorkshire Police at the time, and Burrow were charged following an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

At Leeds Crown Court on Friday, Howarth, of Woodhall Road, Calverley, was given a nine-month sentence while Burrow, of the same address, was given a six-month sentence, after admitting the same offence. Both sentences were suspended for one year.

'Get your foot off the gas'

At the time of the offence Howarth was employed at the force's Central Process Bureau processing speeding tickets.

The IOPC said that four days after the van activated a speed camera in Leeds Howarth had sent Burrow a picture of a letter on WhatsApp "with an expletive-laden caption" accusing him of getting a speeding ticket.

They said Burrow had then asked Howarth whether the camera had captured his face, to which Howarth replied: 'I'll open and check, if it's rear facing I will admit and do the course'".

She then added: "Get your foot off the gas".

The IOPC said mobile phones seized following the offence showed messages between the pair "made it apparent that Ms Howarth was not driving on the day".

IOPC director Emily Barry, said: "We trust the police and those working for them to act with honesty and integrity, a standard Kasey Howarth totally disregarded.

"She has been held accountable for her actions and disciplinary proceedings will now be arranged to consider whether she should be be barred from working in policing in future."

Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins said: "The public quite rightly expect all of our officers and staff to act with honesty and integrity both on and off duty, and Ms Howarth has clearly breached those standards here."

Howarth was put on restricted duties at the start of the investigation before resigning from her role.

In addition to the suspended sentences both Howarth and Burrow were ordered to pay costs and complete 200 hours of community work.

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