Traffic warden caught out by CCTV after pretending to be hit by car

Crompton was sentenced to four months in prison yesterday and finds his career in tatters after telling police he had been driven into after a row over the ticket when it was handed out in Bridgnorth High Street.

The 43-year-old had claimed the driver, Edward Phipps, had run into him following an altercation.

But the images clearly show how Crompton, of Baldwin Webb Avenue, Donnington:

• Stood in front of the car before clearly moving away;

• Watched as the car moved past him before;

• Ending up on the floor, acting as if he had been badly hit.

He now faces losing his job after Shropshire Council revealed that he will face disciplinary action.

Paul McGreary, group manager of public protection and enforcement at Shropshire Council, said: "Now we have been informed of the sentence we need to consider the impact of the verdict in lines with our disciplinary procedures.

"Clearly the sentence from the courts today reflects the seriousness of this case.

"We have an expectation that our civil enforcement officers act with the upmost integrity and honesty.

"As unfortunate as this case was, it does highlight the pressures that civil enforcement officers can be under while they carry out their duties.

"However, saying that this was a very unusual situation and we are confident it was an isolated case.

"All officers are fully trained and supported to do their job to the best of their ability.

"Since this incident, we are also looking at the use of video badges which could prove invaluable in cases like this in future as they would provide video footage of any interaction between an officer and the public."

Police suspicions were raised about Crompton's allegation when they checked the footage from outside the Jewel of the Severn pub in the High Street and after interviewing the driver.

Mr Phipps had stopped his Volkswagen Passat outside the pub to pick up a friend.

While he was inside the pub, he spotted Crompton putting a ticket on his car.

An argument followed and in his false statement to police, Crompton told a "number of lies" about what happened next, claiming the vehicle had driven into his knees, accelerated, and caused him to roll across the bonnet.

A jury was shown CCTV footage during a three-day trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court. Crompton had pleaded not guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice.

But he was convicted by a jury during a trial following the incident last October.