A Staffordshire Police officer has been sacked after he lied to the victim of a 'serious assault'.

PC Nicholas Hartland, a response officer, was dismissed for gross misconduct following a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday (8 October).

An investigation found PC Hartland told the victim and the Professional Standards Department he had completed enquiries in an investigation - when he had not. He then updated a force system indicating there were no lines of enquiry.

Acting Deputy Chief Constable Caroline Marsh said: "All police officers, staff and volunteers, are expected to act within the highest level of honesty and integrity and professional standards, which is crucial to ensuring the public have trust and confidence in our ability to serve and protect them.

"PC Hartland behaviour fell far below these standards. He lied to a victim, our Professional Standards Department, and knowingly made false records on police systems, which resulted in his dismissal from policing."

 The hearing found that PC Hartland had breached the standards of honesty and integrity, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

He has been placed on the national College of Policing's Barred List, preventing him from working within policing and other law enforcement bodies.