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Inquest to be held into death of policewoman

News | Wales News Service | Published: 10:56, Monday February 17th, 2020.
Last updated: 10:56, Monday February 17th, 2020
PC Lianne Matthews

An inquest is due to be opened into the death of a police officer found on a railway track near Caerphilly.

Schools liaison officer PC Lianne Matthews, 38, was killed by a train just weeks before she was due to face a disciplinary hearing for “discreditable conduct.”

PC Matthews was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child.

She had been called to a disciplinary hearing by South Wales Police next month.

But PC Matthews, based in Roath, Cardiff, was found dead on the train track in the neighbouring Gwent Police force area in Caerphilly.

PC Matthews joined the force in 2006 and her partner Geraint is a serving police officer as a detective in the same force.

Person dies after being hit by train

A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed the “sudden death” of an officer on February 3.

The spokeswoman said: “The officer’s family are currently being supported by specially-trained officers and our thoughts remain very much with them, her friends and colleagues who are grieving at this time.

“The officer’s death is being investigated by British Transport Police.

“She had been due to appear before a misconduct hearing in March to answer an allegation of discreditable conduct, following a conviction at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates’ Court on September 9.

“As a result South Wales Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.”

Her police role included teaching children on the dangers of drink and drug abuse – including regular visits to schools.

Emergency services were called to Energlyn and Churchill Park station in Caerphilly after reports of a body on the tracks.

British Transport Police said a person had been pronounced dead at the scene. Officers confirmed it was not being treated as suspicious.

Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court said PC Matthews pleaded guilty to both charges.

A spokeswoman said: “The offences were driving with excess alcohol and drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven years.”

PC Matthews was fined £1,000, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and prosecution costs of £85.

She was also disqualified from driving for 20 months.

The details have been sent to the Gwent coroner and an inquest is due to be opened in Newport.

Wales News Service

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