Police officers fabricated evidence to win a conviction, watchdog rules

AN investigation by police watchdogs has resulted in the dismissal of two police officers for gross misconduct after mobile phone footage showed they had made up evidence to secure a conviction.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it was asked to investigate the two officers – PC Kenneth Anscombe and PC Daniel Care – by Devon and Cornwall Police following an incident where the pair had been sent to deal with a man for allegedly being drunk and disorderly in Penzance.

The two officers had been called to the incident on October 17, 2018, where they arrested the man. He was subsequently found guilty at court of being drunk and disorderly.

However, the man – who has not been identified – successfully appealed the conviction in January 2019 when he produced mobile phone footage of the interaction leading up to the arrest which contradicted the officers’ earlier statements.

Allegations against the two officers were heard at a disciplinary hearing arranged by the force, and on January 29 the panel, led by an independent legally-qualified chairman, found the case against the officers for gross misconduct proven. The panel imposed a sanction of dismissal without notice.

LORD Myners of Truro will retire as Chancellor of the University of Exeter after five years in the role, it has been announced.

Paul Myners CBE, who will be 73 in April and is a former Government Minister who has led some of the UK’s best known businesses, will relinquish the role at the end of 2021.

Cornishman Lord Myners, who was brought up in Truro by his adoptive parents, took over the mantle of Chancellor from Baroness Floella Benjamin in July 2016.

Lord Myners said: “It has been a pleasure and an honour to have served as Chancellor and to have presided over many graduation ceremonies during this time.

“As a proud Cornishman, it has been a privilege to have been a part of the University’s successes over the past five years and to have been able to meet and congratulate so many new graduates as they set out to change the world.”

Lord Myners has chaired household name companies including Marks & Spencer, the Guardian Media Group and Land Securities.