PC and partner admit lying about speeding offence

A former West Yorkshire Police officer and her partner have admitted lying about a speeding offence.

PC Abigail Byrne, 29, was caught speeding on the A629 Wakefield Road in Huddersfield on 29 and 31 January 2025 but her partner, Sharndelle Firth, later took responsibility for the offence by accepting the penalty points and attending a speed awareness course.

At Sheffield Crown Court earlier, Byrne and Firth each pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and were told they would be sentenced on 17 July.

Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) director Emily Barry said: "Behaviour like this undermines public confidence in policing."

The IOPC said it began its investigation in June 2025 following a referral from West Yorkshire Police and Byrne was suspended from the force in September.

According to the watchdog, Byrne, who was based in Huddersfield but resigned from the force last month, was caught speeding on the route she would normally take to get to work.

Text messages showed how Byrne and Firth had discussed the penalty points and how to manage the situation.

When interviewed under criminal caution in September and November 2025, Byrne provided no comment responses to all questions.

Barry said: "We trust police officers to act honestly and with integrity but in this case PC Byrne behaved in a way that was dishonest and abused her position.

"Given the serious nature of the allegations, it was important we had independent oversight of the investigation, carried out by WYP's Counter-Corruption Unit."

Disciplinary proceedings will now be arranged to consider whether Byrne should be barred from working in policing in the future.

Addressing both defendants at Sheffield Crown Court on Thursday, Judge Sarah Wright told them all options, including immediate custody, would remain open due to the seriousness of the offence.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Ch Supt Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police's Professional Standards Directorate, said: "The public quite rightly expect all of our officers and staff to act with honesty and integrity both on and off duty, and PC Byrne has clearly breached those standards by trying to evade speeding sanctions.

"It's vital that we uphold the highest standards and our officers and staff lead by example. Those who fall short will be brought to justice just like anyone else."

She said Byrne would face a police misconduct hearing in due course.

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