Police Community Support Officer jailed for issuing fake cycling fines

An award winning police community support officer who created hundreds of bogus cycling offence penalty notices has been jailed for six months.

George McNaught, 48, used names and address details found on lost property to create the fines, most of which were for cycling on the pavement. He even sent a notice to a man who had not been able to cycle for more than ten years due to an accident.

Having won a commendation of the High Sheriff of London for wrestling a gun out of the hands of a woman at Victoria station in 2009, his eagerness for success in the role led to him creating at least 350 suspect tickets between February 2010 and September last year.

When police searched McNaught's home they also found a canister of CS gas which had been reported missing from a police locker room, the Independent reported.

Mcnaught pleaded guilty to misconduct in a public office and possession of a prohibited weapon, and heard about how his actions had affected his victims.

One woman had bailiffs come to her house after she was ordered to pay £320 in fines. She had to come to a court hearing, and in her own words felt embarrassed and humiliated due to Mr McNaught.

"Another man who paid a £45 fine later told police he had an accident in 1997, and had suffered nerve damage to his left arm and shoulder, and he said he could not use a bicycle if he wanted to."

Judge John Hillen told McNaught his actions were "crazy" and said: "You were serving the public but that trust placed in you, you abused."