Hampshire detective guilty of forging murder trial witness statement 

A Hampshire Constabulary detective constable (DC) has been convicted of forging a witness statement, following our investigation.

DC Robert Ferrow, based at Portsmouth police station, was charged with making a false instrument with intent for it to be accepted as genuine, under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981.

DC Ferrow completed and signed the statement of a witness during the investigation into the murder of Lucy-Anne Rushton in Andover, Hampshire in June 2019.

Her estranged husband Shaun Dyson admitted murder and was jailed in December 2019.

DC Ferrow’s trial at Winchester Crown Court concluded on 13 August, after starting on Monday 9 August. On 10 September he was sentenced to eight months in jail.

Regional Director Graham Beesley said: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Lucy-Anne.

“Knowing a police officer had forged a signature on a witness statement, which was part of the evidence against Shaun Dyson, can only have added to their distress.

“DC Ferrow told our investigators that he felt pressured to complete the statement due to time restraints, but whatever his motivation, his actions could have had serious ramifications for the murder trial. It is fortunate the murder team withdrew the evidence from the investigation and were able to take a lawful statement from the key witness.

“The public expects the highest standards of police officers. For him to fall so short would have caused Lucy’s family distress and undermined the public’s faith in the police service.

“However, the jury has now made its decision and DC Ferrow will have to live with the consequences.”

During our 11-month investigation, which began in August 2019, investigators interviewed the officer, obtained statements from the witness, forensically examined the statement concerned and reviewed relevant legislation.

At the investigation’s conclusion, we referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which made the decision to charge the officer.

* At a special case misconduct hearing on 25 October 2021, Hampshire Constabulary Police Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney ruled former DC Ferrow would have been dismissed if still a serving officer. He will be placed on the police barred list.