Officer charged with wasting police time

A policewoman who claimed she had been beaten unconscious during a routine vehicle check has been charged with wasting police time, it was announced today.

c Frances Croucher, 27, of Kent Police, has been bailed to appear at Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court on June 28, a force spokeswoman said.

It was claimed she was assaulted by the occupants of a van after asking it to stop during a check in Crockenhill Road, Swanley, at 8.30pm on January 14.

Police said at the time of the incident that she had been knocked unconscious but her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

A Kent Police spokeswoman said the officer, from Maidstone, has been suspended from duty.

She said: "No further comment will be made pending the outcome of legal proceedings."