SUFFOLK police officer Dez Thompson has today pleaded guilty to charges of wasting police time. Thompson, 32, of Low Road, Bardwell appeared before Lowestoft Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to the offences which took place between March 12 and March 20.

SUFFOLK police officer Dez Thompson has today pleaded guilty to charges of wasting police time.

Thompson, 32, of Low Road, Bardwell appeared before Lowestoft Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to the offences which took place between March 12 and March 20.

Thompson had originally told police that while he was on duty he had been shot at by a man wearing a balaclava after he had followed a saloon car which was carrying three people.

After the allegation two armed response units were summoned, a police helicopter hovered overhead and adjacent county borders were sealed off.

An attempted murder investigation was commenced on September 13 but this was dropped on September 20 when Thompson admitted that he had made it up.

Prosecuting Nicholas Methold said that over 420 hours of police time had been wasted investigating the case.

Defending David Goodin said Thompson had been receiving counselling and was due to see a psychiatrist on Friday. He requested that the case be adjourned for three weeks for the report to be analysed.

Chairman of the bench John Wren refused to rule out a custodial sentence but said that he would take into consideration the guilty plea and the pre-sentence revue.

Thompson will reappear at Lowestoft Magistrates Court on October 14 at 10am.