Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Ex-police officer jailed for false report on student

Ex-police officer jailed for false report on student

A FORMER South Wales Police officer has been jailed for making false reports about a female student at Swansea University that he had become fixated with.

Cardiff Crown Court on Friday (13) ordered Abubakar Masum, 24, to undergo imprisonment for three years and six months.

He made multiple reports saying the student was involved in drug dealing and had firearms at her property.

The court heard that his false claims resulted in armed officers attending her home to look for a gun. Another false claim was that she was involved in a plot to shoot a man over a debt.

Suspicions were raised when it was noted that the anonymous caller appeared to be familiar with police work. This led to an investigation.

Masum was arrested by officers from the anti-corruption unit of the police and it was discovered that he had been using the police computer system to gather information for the calls.

He was charged with two separate offences of “doing an act tending and intended to pervert the course of public justice”.

Both charges related to Masum making a series of false anonymous reports. A third charge related to securing unauthorised access to computer material. Masum was convicted of all three charges.

John Griffiths of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said Masum deliberately abused his position of power as a police officer.

“The potential consequences of his actions were extremely serious. Having heard the strength of the evidence presented by the CPS, the jury convicted Masum and he has been brought to justice for his grave breach of trust.”

Masum was remanded in custody in March after he was convicted of the offences and chief constable Jeremy Vaughan dismissed him from service with immediate effect.

“The offence of perverting the course of public justice is particularly serious and increases the seriousness of the misconduct. There can be no doubt that PC Masum’s criminal conviction has an adverse impact on public confidence in policing,” Vaughan said.

More For You

Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less
Maha-kumbh-pilgrims-reuters

Devotees arrive at the river bank to take a holy dip at Sangam during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, India on January 28, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

India says 420 million pilgrims have visited Maha Kumbh

INDIA’s government announced on Friday that more than 420 million pilgrims have taken part in ritual bathing at the Maha Kumbh, a Hindu religious festival.

Organisers say the estimate is based on artificial intelligence and surveillance cameras used to track attendance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bird-flu-Getty

There have been 27 confirmed cases of bird flu in England and one in Scotland during the current outbreak. (Representational image: Getty Images)

England bans 'bird gatherings' to contain avian flu spread

THE GOVERNMENT has announced a ban on "bird gatherings" in England as part of efforts to contain the spread of avian influenza.

The ban, which comes into effect from midday on Monday, will apply to fairs, markets, and shows involving various bird species.

Keep ReadingShow less
Matt-Jukes-Getty

Matt Jukes, the UK’s head of counterterrorism, has called for a social media ban for children under 16. (Photo: Getty Images)

Nine-year-old among youngest referred for far-right deradicalisation

A UK charity working to counter far-right radicalisation has seen children as young as nine referred for support.

Exit Hate UK, which helps individuals leave extremist movements, said its youngest-ever referral was nine years old, with the average age of those seeking help being about 15, according to The Times.

Keep ReadingShow less
Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

Wes Streeting addresses the Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28),joined by Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Vikram Doraiswami

Streeting hails India’s global role as Labour backs bilateral relations

WES STREETING spoke of the priority prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour government attach to relations with India when he addressed a Republic Day reception at the Guildhall in London last Tuesday (28).

But the secretary of state for health and social care won over the large Indian crowd by paying an unexpected tribute to Rishi Sunak.

Keep ReadingShow less