Police officer attempted to evade speeding ticket as partner accepted penalty points

A former West Yorkshire Police officer and her partner have been handed fines and suspended sentences after admitting to perverting the course of justice following a speeding ticket.

Former PC Abigail Byrne, 29, committed speeding offences in Huddersfield in January 2025 and was found to have provided a false or misleading account to avoid receiving a penalty notice.

Byrne, who was based in Kirklees District, was caught speeding by a camera on the A629 Wakefield Road in Huddersfield on January 29 and 31, 2025.

The camera was located on the route she would take to get to work and at times just before her shift would begin, Sheffield Crown Court heard.

After receiving a notification of the speeding offences, former PC Byrne’s partner Sharndelle Firth, 28, accepted the speed awareness course and penalty points associated with the offences on her behalf.

Evidence and text messages from seized devices confirmed that the pair discussed how to manage the situation.

Byrne and Firth both plead guilty at Sheffield Crown Court on May 7.

Former PC Byrne was suspended on February 25 and resigned two months later in April 2026.

The pair were sentenced on August 6 at Sheffield Crown Court.

Abigail Byrne, of Clipstone Avenue, Barnsley received a 14-month suspended sentence, 300 hours unpaid work, and £800 costs.

Sharndelle Firth, 28, of Clipstone Avenue, Barnsley received an 8-month suspended sentence, 200 hours unpaid work, and £800 costs.

Detective Chief Superintendent Tanya Wilkins, Head of West Yorkshire Police’s Professional Standards Directorate, said: “We and the public expect all our officers and staff to act with honesty and integrity both on and off duty, and former PC Byrne has breached those standards by trying to evade speeding sanctions.

“This sentencing should reassure the public that those who fall short of these standards will be brought to justice just like anyone else.”