Three police constables sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court

Merseyside Police can confirm that three police constables have today, Thursday 27th May, been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court.

Constables Garrie Burke, Laura Grant and Lauren Buchanan-Lloyd, were all found guilty last month of perverting the course of justice following a four week trial at a special Nightingale court in Liverpool.

The charges were brought following a thorough and extensive investigation by the Force’s Professional Standards Department into the conduct of the officers and following an allegation of assault made by a member of the public relating to an incident at an address in Cherry Road, Ainsdale, in June 2019.

At Liverpool Crown Court today Constable Burke was given a 15 month custodial sentence.

Constable Grant was given a 15 month custodial sentence. 

Constable Buchanan-Lloyd was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

All three officers are currently suspended and will now face fast-track gross misconduct proceedings for breaches of the standards of professional behaviour connected to a criminal conviction.

Constable Darren McIntyre, who was found guilty of s47 assault and perverting the course of justice, will be sentenced on Friday 16th July. He is also currently suspended from duty.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley, said: "Firstly I would like to apologise to the victim in this case for the actions of these officers.

"The overwhelming majority of people who work for Merseyside Police join the force to support and help the public and they serve our communities with compassion and integrity on a daily basis.

"Sadly, the actions of the three officers sentenced today undermine the good work which is being done a daily basis by their colleagues.

"We cannot afford to have officers and staff working for us who do not uphold the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity and will always be robust in dealing with officers, or staff, whose conduct is unacceptable.

"It is vital that we as a police force maintain the public’s trust and confidence and ensure that officers and staff throughout the force realise the importance of maintaining standards and working with honesty and integrity.

"The public quite rightly have high expectations of police officers and Merseyside Police is committed to meeting those expectations by demanding high standards of professionalism, honesty and integrity.

"These three officers were charged following an extensive investigation by the force Professional Standards Department after concerns were raised by colleagues and I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the strength of those people in coming forward and doing the right thing.

"It is vital that people can have the confidence to speak out when there has been wrongdoing and are supported by the organisation and are able to uphold the high standards that we expect of our officers and staff across the force."