A SPECIAL constable who made false mileage and work hours claims has been sacked by Avon and Somerset Police.

Dominic Taylor was dismissed after a hearing ruled he had breached the standards of professional behaviour expected of him.

Taylor, who was based at Bridgwater, was found guilty of gross misconduct following a hearing held via telephone conference.

He made a false mileage claim, falsely claimed for two tours of duty and gave untruthful accounts of an incident he was involved in while in his own vehicle and off-duty.

Superintendent Simon Wilstead, the force's head of professional standards, said: “We expect all our officers, including members of the Special Constabulary, to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and integrity both on and off duty.

“Honesty and integrity are fundamental requirements for any police officers including those that volunteer as Special Constables.

"Where breaches relating to these standards are found, then dismissal is inevitable.”

Following the case, Taylor said: "I haven't claimed any money from the police.

"The only thing I did by mistake was claim more hours than I'd worked."