Surrey Police officer charged with perverting the course of justice and fraud
Last updated 16th Nov 2021
A Surrey Police officer accused of providing false and misleading information over a criminal investigation into a sergeant has appeared in court.
Amanda Aston, 42, is charged with two counts of perverting the course of justice and fraud in Guildford between September 2017 and June 2018.
She allegedly provided false and misleading information to police between September 3 and September 17 2017 in connection with a probe into whether Surrey Sergeant Matthew Taylor had committed a crime.
Aston is also accused of encouraging Sgt Taylor to breach his bail conditions and providing false and misleading information in connection with an investigation between September 26 2017 and March 22 2018.
The fraud charge alleges the officer made a false representation to the Surrey Police welfare fund, which offers financial help to serving and retired officers and staff, between June 1 and June 30 2018.
She is said to have claimed the behaviour of Sgt Taylor "had caused financial hardship".
Aston, from Seaford, East Sussex, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday (16 November), dressed in black.
She spoke to confirm her name, date of birth and address during the brief hearing, where she was not asked to enter pleas to any of the charges.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring sent the case to Maidstone Crown Court, where Aston will appear on December 14.
She was granted bail with a single condition that she does not contact Sgt Taylor directly or indirectly.