A police officer who used to catch criminals now finds himself dwelling amongst them after he was jailed for perverting the course of justice.
Disgraced PC Abubakar Masum rang Crimestoppers and made a false report that a girl had shot a drug supplier - which resulted in armed police turning as much as her office.
WalesOnline reviews that he made up the bogus declare after changing into "obsessed" with 21-year-old Mia Pitman.
Masum, who has since been booted out from South Wales Police, denied he'd performed something incorrect however was convicted following a trial at Cardiff Crown Courtroom.
The 24-year-old was discovered responsible of two counts of perverting the course of justice and one rely of gaining unauthorised entry to the police pc system.
He was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months imprisonment and made topic to an indefinite restraining order.
Sentencing, Choose Michael Fitton QC stated Masum's offences have been "considerably aggravated" as a result of it was dedicated whereas serving as a police officer.
He added: "It is fairly clear you're a deeply complicated and troubled man.
"You're so wrapped up in your personal emotions about your self, your persona, you background and your personal needs that you don't comprehend the hurt you could have performed to Mia Pitman and others.
"As a course of conduct dedicated by a police officer, you could have performed hurt not simply to your sufferer and her associates however to your loved ones and for that you must dangle your head in disgrace.
"You might have additionally performed big hurt to the police whose fame suffers each time an officer breaks the regulation and leads to jail."
The trial beforehand heard Masum, of Web page Avenue, Swansea, invented claims about Tesco employee and college pupil Ms Pitman, and lied to a Crimestoppers operator that she had shot an Albanian.
He made numerous nameless calls one in every of which resulted in armed police attending Ms Pitman's office.
Criminology graduate Ms Pitman advised the jury she had trusted Masum and thought he was her buddy.
She stated she felt "scared and upset" when she repeatedly confronted questions from police as a result of the defendant had accused her of criminality.
Ms Pitman met the defendant in a nightclub and commenced exchanging on social media, however round Christmas 2019 the messages turned extra frequent and flirty.
The courtroom heard she was involved Masum had a girlfriend on the time and he wouldn't reply her when requested instantly about it.
One in every of Masum's targets was Ms Pitman's Tesco colleague was Leon Croucher, who had a "blossoming friendship" with the goal of his obsession.
Masum used a South Wales Police pc to seek for particulars about him on March 18, 2020, typing the phrases "Croucher" and "Swansea".
In calls to Crimestoppers in March, Might, June and July 2020, Masum stated Ms Pitman was storing a handgun on Croucher's behalf.
Cops failed to show up any proof to assist Masum's claims regardless of repeat searches of Mia's home.
Police started investigating the malicious calls to Crimestoppers after a few of the info Masum was offering was thought to solely be recognized to police.
The creepy ex-cop was then arrested on July 21 2020 after losing round 200 hours of police time together with his venomous lies.
In a sufferer private assertion learn out to the courtroom, Ms Pitman stated she discovered visits made by the police at office as "horrifying and embarrassing".
She stated she additionally suffered nightmares concerning the defendant and located it laborious to focus on her college work.
In mitigation, defence barrister Graham Trembath stated his shopper had misplaced his job and a long-term relationship of six-years because of his offending.
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He stated what made the case "so weird" was the actual fact Masum and Ms Pitman had solely met in particular person 3 times and he described the defendant as a "Walter Mitty" character who made "wild and florid" accusations towards his victims.
The barrister additionally described Masum as a "complicated younger male" who had skilled numerous adversarial experiences together with abuse, poverty, parental dying, racial bullying, and psychological well being points.
He additionally stated there have been traits of persona dysfunction which wanted to be thought of.
Following the listening to, John Griffiths of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) stated: "Abubakar Masum intentionally abused his place of energy as a police officer.
"The potential penalties of his actions have been extraordinarily critical.
"Having heard the energy of proof introduced by the CPS the jury convicted Masum and he has been dropped at justice for his grave breach of belief."
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