A policeman and his former partner have been jailed for lying in court about a drink-driving conviction.

Firearms officer Michael Turner, 44, of Hawkes Road, Witham, was twice over the alcohol limit when he was stopped by police in 2010.

He was given a conditional discharge after Nicola Howell told magistrates she had spiked his drink.

She told the court she had put vodka in Turner's lime and soda to help him relax.

But Chelmsford Crown court heard on Friday *nov 9* it was a lie to get Turner off the charge and keep him out of trouble with police bosses.

Later on, hospital sister Howell tipped off police about what she had done and claimed Turner put pressure on her to go along with the plan.

The pair denied conspiracy to pervert the course of justice but were convicted after a trial last month.

Turner, a Metropolitan police constable, was jailed for 18 months and Howell for six months.

See this week's Times for the full story.