A POLICE officer and former staff member from Bradford have been charged with perverting the course of justice.

PC Mark Hinchliffe, 42, who works in the Leeds district, and Lisa Hinchliffe, 38, have been jointly charged with the offence.

They will appear at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court tomorrow to face their charges.

It is alleged Mrs Hinchliffe accepted three speeding tickets on PC Hinchliffe's behalf, even though she knew she was not the driver and that the officer had committed five speeding offences. 

PC Hinchliffe is accused of allowing Mrs Hinchliffe to accept a speeding ticket on his behalf, knowing she had not committed the offence.

Their alleged offences are indictable-only, meaning they have to be sent from a magistrates' court to a crown court. 

The alleged offences were committed whilst off-duty.

PC Hinchliffe has been suspended from duty.

Mrs Hinchliffe was a police staff member at the time of the alleged offences but has since resigned from the force.