Former Kent Police Officer Jailed

30 July 2019, 08:22 | Updated: 30 July 2019, 08:23

Michael Tovell

A former Kent Police officer is waking up behind bars after pretending he was attacked.

Michael Tovell, 46 claimed it happened in a graveyard in Ramsgate whilst out looking for a missing person.

He's been found guilty of perverting the course of justice and jailed for 15 months.

His old force say the case has had a profound impact on the public and its confidence in policing.

Assistant Chief Constable Tim Smith of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "Perverting the course of justice is a serious offence and in this case it means time officers should have dedicated to legitimate victims was wasted investigating a false allegation."