Former PSNI officer admits perverting justice over false attempted murder claim

The former PSNI officer claimed he was confronted at his home by a masked gunman in 2020

A former police officer has pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice after falsely claiming a masked man confronted him with a shotgun.

Craig Moffitt, 37, sparked an attempted murder investigation in January 2020 when he claimed a gunman confronted him at his home in County Fermanagh.

He claimed a woman told him a named man had "arranged to have him done in".

Mr Moffitt, whose address was given as a PSNI station in Portadown, County Armagh, is due to be sentenced in May.

He appeared before Dungannon Crown Court, speaking only to confirm his identity and to plead guilty to a single charge of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Moffitt claimed that while at home he was confronted at his front door by a masked man with a shotgun at about 02:00 GMT.

An attempted murder investigation was immediately launched, during the early hours of 2 January 2020 in Kesh, which resulted in the arrest of a man, who was later released without charge.

The high-profile incident drew widespread condemnation.

At the time the PSNI said a lone gunman dressed entirely in black pointed a shotgun directly at the officer.

'Gun failed to fire'

It was said he raised the alarm after allegedly noticing movement outside his home and, on opening the door to check, encountered the masked male.

The gun, it was claimed, failed to fire and the man supposedly fled on foot over fields in the direction of a football club.

Within hours, a detective chief inspector confirmed a 37-year-old male had been arrested.

She told a news conference: "We firmly believe that this disturbing incident was a failed attempt to kill a local police officer. There are no words to describe those who would creep through the dark of night with nothing but death and destruction on their minds.

"Their actions stand in stark contrast to those officers, including their intended target, who everyday police our communities with dignity, respect and courtesy."

The detective said at the time that police were keeping an open mind as to the motivation behind the attack. She said a primary line of inquiry was that organised criminal elements may have been responsible.

Man was quickly released

However, the man was quickly released on bail pending further enquiries.

It was later discovered the investigation had been closed and the arrested man was no longer suspected of involvement.

A PSNI spokesperson said: "Enquiries into the attempted murder investigation have concluded and the matter closed pending any further evidence. The man arrested following this incident is no longer a subject of this investigation."

Separately, it emerged the officer in question had been leading an investigation into a case of perverting the course of justice at the time of the alleged incident.

Judge Fiona Bagnall McSorley decided pre-sentence reports were required, given the nature of the offending.

She remanded Moffitt on continuing bail of £500 to appear for sentencing on 24 May.