PC created 'make believe' relationship with woman

A police constable has been barred from policing after persistently contacting a woman who rejected his advances.

PC Jack Wood saved images the woman had shared online to his phone and sent them to friends and colleagues claiming they were proof of their relationship.

Head of Avon and Somerset Police's professional standards department, Det Supt Larisa Hunt, said Wood "deceived his colleagues" with a "make-believe story" that he was in a social and sexual relationship with the woman.

The Bristol-based officer was found guilty of gross misconduct earlier after a panel heard he sent the woman eight unwanted messages on social media between March 2023 and July 2024.

Wood was told he would have been sacked had he not already resigned.

Wood's behaviour was reported to police on 30 July 2024 and he was arrested a little over a week later. Detectives found 83 images of the woman saved on his phone.

Police said a decision was made that Wood would not face criminal charges in March 2024 after a review of the evidence.

The misconduct panel found he breached professional standards.

Hunt said Wood's behaviour fell "far short" of the standards expected of officers and staff.

"He continued to persistently contact a woman who had clearly rejected his advances and I don't underestimate how significant the psychological impact of this will have been to her," she added.

"PC Wood also deceived his colleagues with his make-believe story and has shown a complete disregard for the responsibilities that come along with being a police officer."

Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.