Police officer who forged signatures sentenced

A former police officer who forged signatures on witness statements has been given a suspended jail sentence.

Bethany Hemstock, 30, of Bounty Drive, Hull, signed three statements in other people's names in relation to three shop thefts in Hull between 31 October and 12 December 2024.

She had admitted misconduct in public office before she was sentenced to eight months, suspended for 12 months, at Grimsby Crown Court on Monday. She was also ordered to undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.

Referring to Hemstock's previous work as an officer, Judge John Thackray KC said: "All of that hard work, bravery and diligence has been undone by your catastrophic error of judgement."

Prosecution counsel Mollie Briggs told the court Hemstock had explained she would often make calls to stores and obtain details for thefts when she worked in the shop theft department for Humberside Police.

All three people denied the signatures Hemstock had forged on witness statements in relation to thefts were theirs, the court heard.

The court heard that one of the people whose statement had been signed by Hemstock felt they were "being painted as a liar" as "everyone was telling me I'd given a statement when I hadn't".

Thackray said Hemstock had forged the signatures to "speed up the process of detection of shoplifters".

He said: "It should be clearly understood that was your motive, not to implicate an innocent person but to speed up the process of those who had committed shop thefts by signing statements based on information you had received."

However, he stressed it was an "extremely serious offence" that "undermines the public's confidence in police officers".

Hemstock was described by Thackray as having "previous good character" and that she had been commended by a chief constable on three separate occasions for helping a suicidal female, challenging a man who was threatening an acid attack and use a shotgun, and helping a pregnant woman.

The judge added that at the time of the incidents she was "feeling overwhelmed with work" and "had very significant family and personal responsibilities".

Thackray concluded: "I have very little doubt you will ever appear before a court again.

"I'm satisfied an appropriate sentence can be achieved in the community."

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