A POLICEMAN who fiddled his wage slips has lost his career, for the sake of just £25 a week.

Jonathan Denyer-Stenson, 35, of Huddersfield, fiddled the slips to avoid paying maintenance for his daughter.

He was forced to quit his position as a constable after he admitted trying to push down his payments to the Child Support Agency for six-year-old daughter Jessica.

Leeds Crown Court heard how his marriage to a policewoman ended in animosity and he was denied access to his daughter.

But when the CSA imposed a bill of £102 per week to support his child Denyer-Stenson photocopied his wage slips and P60 to make it look as though he was earning less.

In all, he gained only around £1,200. He admitted three charges of furnishing false information, between March and July, 2006.

And the small amount means he has now lost him his career, his pension and any prospects.

Judge Alistair McCallum, who gave him a 12-month suspended sentence, said: “You pleaded guilty to this dishonesty which resulted in a very modest gain for you, but what an incredible loss.

“It is right to say that you have lost everything.”

The court heard yesterday how Denyer-Stenson, of Huddersfield, worked in the Bradford North division.

Prosecutor Ian Goldsack said that when the CSA told Denyer-Stenson what he had to pay for Jessica he asked for a review of the figure. He sent two falsified wage slips showing he earned £1,567 a month instead of the real figure of £2,791.

His responsibility was reduced by £24.38 a week and his former wife immediately appealed, requiring him to provide more information.

When he later provided the CSA with details his payslip showed him earning £1,610 instead of the real £2,329.

Mr Goldsack said: “The CSA reviewed the figures and noticed discrepancies between the altered monthly figures and the year-to-date figures, which had not been altered.”

Another appeal led to a request for Denyer-Stenson’s P60 summary and the wages department of West Yorkshire Police was contacted.

Mr Goldsack said: “The defendant faxed a copy which had been altered.

“The department checked against its computer records and contacted the force’s Professional Standards Department, which arrested him that afternoon.

“He was seen to go to a desk drawer and place folders in it. There were a number of folders and sheets.

“Also in there were copies of the original wage slips and P60 with numbers cut out and pasted on.”

Denyer-Stenson’s barrister, Alan Taylor, said the defendant had lost everything and pointed out that the case was a private matter and didn’t affect his police work.

Judge McCallum told him: “I have personal knowledge of how difficult it is to get into the police force and as a result officers are put in that elevated status where everybody trusts them.

“By carrying out this petty series of offences you have lost your job and the respect of your colleagues. When you are put on that particular pedestal when you fall it’s a lot harder.”

Det Chief Supt Ian Kennedy, head of the Professional Standards Department, said: “West Yorkshire Police will not tolerate wrongdoing and, as in this case, will take matters to court.”

Denyer-Stenson’s sentence was suspended for 18 months and he must perform 200 hours community work.