By James Simons-
A police officer who submitted £10,000 worth of false insurance claims has been convicted for insurance fraud.
Despite the proven fraud, the officer remains on police duty, with the force stating that the duty is restricted. West Yorkshire Police also would not release the photo of the officer to properly shame him for his offence.
He was sentenced to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work over a year, although he has lodged an appeal against his conviction.
Mohammed Yasin Mulla, 38, got off lightly with just 250 hours of unpaid work over a year, after submitting the fraudulent claims for repairs and personal injuries. His fabricated claim that his windscreen was smashed by falling debris was exposed after footage from his own dashcam revealed a piece of polystrene had missed his car.
The West Yorkshire Police officer falsely claimed that a piece of debris flew off the van in front of him on the M606 in Bradford, cracking his windscreen and damaging the bonnet and roof. He also claimed to have suffered injuries to his neck and shoulders after he had to swerve and brake suddenly.
His disgrace came when dashcam footage from his own car revealed a piece of polystyrene packaging flew towards his vehicle, and missed it. Mulla, from Bradford, was found guilty of fraud by false representation by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on Tuesday following a trial, City of London (CoL) Police said.
He was sentenced to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work over a year, although he has lodged an appeal against his conviction.
CoL Detective Constable Peter Gartland, who led the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED) investigation, said: “This case shows that no-one is above the law.
“The IFED works to identify and punish fraudsters, irrespective of their profession.
“Police officers are expected to be honest and act with integrity, and the vast majority do, but cases such as this one threaten to damage the police’s reputation.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Oz Khan, of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said Mulla remains on restricted duties while the force conducts its own investigation.
“West Yorkshire Police expects the highest standards from its officers and staff,” he said.