A SERVING police officer has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice.

PC Donna Coker was found guilty on Monday (21) over a police collision that took place in August 2017 in Southall. She will be sentenced in July.

The crash occurred on the Uxbridge Road at its junction with Dane Road.

PC Varinder Sehmi, driving a marked police car, was driving westbound in response to an emergency call when the front of his car collided with a vehicle at the junction with Dane Road. A member of the public was seriously injured as a result.

A jury heard how all officers who attended were asked to write a statement, including PC Coker.

A Department of Professional Standards officer noticed a number of inconsistencies between her statement and that of one other officer.

A review took place and PC Coker was charged in June last year.

The Serious Collision Investigation Unit began investigating PC Sehmi, who was found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving in March.

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

Chief Supt Peter Gardner said: "The jury have heard how PC Coker tailored her statement to try to 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.”