A SERVING police officer has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice following a car crash in West Ealing.

PC Donna Coker was found guilty on Monday, June 21, of perverting the course of justice in relation to a police collision that took place four years ago and will be sentenced on July 19.

On August 6 2017, PC Varinder Sehmi was driving a marked police vehicle going westbound along Uxbridge Road towards the junction with Dane Road, in response to an emergency call.

The front of the police car collided with a vehicle at the junction with Dane Road, with a member of the public receiving serious injuries as a result.

The incident was immediately reported to the Department of Professional Standards (DPS) and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

All officers who attended the scene were asked to write a statement, including PC Coker.

A DPS officer noticed a number of inconsistencies in her statement and the statement of one other officer, which was subsequently flagged to the investigation team.

A full review took place and PC Coker was charged with perverting the course of justice in March 2020.

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PC Sehmi was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving on March 12.

He was sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and given a two-year driving ban.

Following his conviction, the DPS are working on a report to decide what disciplinary action may take place.

Chief Superintendent Peter Gardner, the West Area BCU Commander which covers Ealing, said: "We take any case of perverting the course of justice very seriously, not least when the individual in question is a serving police officer.

"The Jury have heard how PC Coker tailored her statement to try and absolve PC Sehmi of any wrongdoing, which goes directly against what we stand for as an organisation.

"We will continue to ensure officers are acting to the highest degree of professionalism and where they fall short we will be swift to investigate this.

"Misconduct proceedings will now follow and we await the outcome of that."