A SERVING police officer based in Enniskillen who admitted making false expenses claims over a 12-month period has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service.

David John Lowe (35), whose address was given as PSNI Enniskillen, was charged with 15 counts of fraud by false representation, relating to false claims worth a total of £828.34 made on dates between March 22, 2013 and April 3, 2014.

Lowe had entered guilty pleas at an earlier appearance before Fermanagh Magistrates Court, and a pre-sentence report had been prepared in the case.

At his sentencing on Monday afternoon, the court heard that the defendant, described as a response officer, had made a total of 28 separate fraudulent claims over 15 dates.

On some occasions he had “exaggerated” the distance he had travelled, while at other times there had been no travel by him at all, the court heard.

When Lowe was subsequently interviewed in connection with the offences, he made no comment.

Defending counsel, Steffan Rafferty, told the court that his client had entered a guilty plea at an early opportunity and was entitled to maximum credit.

Describing the pre-sentence report as “quite detailed”, the barrister said it dealt with comprehensively the motivating factor and background to the claims made by the defendant.

Mr Rafferty said that his client had been a man of “impeccable character” and that his behaviour had been “very uncharacteristic” of him. He added the report stated that Lowe had shown a “significant degree of acceptance for his actions and misconduct”.

In mitigation, the barrister said the defendant was remorseful and wanted to pass on his apologies, adding that he had “an obvious sense of embarrassment to find himself where he is now”.

Mr Rafferty told the court that his client had shown a willingness to make good the loss he had caused and, of his own volition, had offered to pay the money back.

He added that the defendant would have had the money in court with him, but he had only just found out the exact amount involved.

Urging the judge to display leniency, the barrister said that there would be ramifications for Lowe “far beyond the sanctions this court imposes”. He asked the judge to bear in mind that the court was not the only forum in which the defendant would stand or fall as a result of his actions.

Mr Rafferty said that the defendant had been unable to provide letters of reference from superior officers in the PSNI. He claimed that there were senior officers willing to testify on behalf of his client, but conceded that “their hands were tied”.

District judge, Nigel Broderick, observed that it was a “sad state of affairs” that a serving police officer had found himself in this position.

While noting that the offences involved a breach of trust, the judge gave credit for the defendant’s early pleas and clear record. He added that he believed the Probation Board’s assessment that he posed a low risk of re-offending to be an accurate one.

Mr Broderick told the court that Lowe’s feelings of embarrassment and remorse were “no doubt genuine”. However, he added that the defendant had exaggerated travel on some occasions, while there had been “no travel by you at all” on others.

Imposing a Community Service Order of 100 hours, the judge also ordered the defendant to pay £828.34 compensation to the PSNI.