Police officer who accused ex-girlfriend of killing Albanian gangster is jailed

Glamorgan Star news 16/05/2022

2 minutes read

Abubakar Masum sacked by South Wales Police, and jailed at Cardiff CRown Court. Photo: SWP.

A jilted South Wales police officer has been jailed at Cardiff Crown Court for three and a half years after using Crimestoppers to falsely accuse his ex-girlfriend of murder and drug dealing.

Ex-police constable Abubakar Masum (24) unjustly accused Mia Pitman (23) of crimes in anonymous tip-offs after she had ended their relationship. University student, Ms Pitman was later arrested at her part-time workplace and her home was searched by police officers looking for a gun.

After she broke up with Masum he began making the false claims against her and other men in anonymous calls to Crimestoppers including the shooting of an Albanian gangster and the hiding of a gun in her garden.

Convicted at Cardiff Crown Court earlier this year for perverting the course of justice and making a series of false accusations, Abubakar Masum was immediately remanded in custody pending sentencing on Friday, 13th May.

Masum was formally dismissed from South Wales Police (SWP) on 3rd May during an accelerated misconduct hearing held in Bridgend. Due to him being on court remand, he consequently did not attend the hearing and chose not to be legally represented.

PC Abubakar Masum faced allegations of breaching several standards of professional behaviour, including Honesty and Integrity, Confidentiality and Discreditable Conduct.

The misconduct panel found all allegations against Masum proven which amounted to gross misconduct. The former police officer had not submitted any written response or statement on whether he admitted the allegations or accepted his conduct amounted to gross misconduct.

The misconduct panel found the allegations proven, and delivered the sanction of dismissal.

SWP Chief Constable Mr Jeremy Vaughan said: “I have fully considered the evidence before me, and PC Masum has not contested breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour. It is impossible for him to do so following his conviction.

“I have found the allegations to be proved and that the conduct amounts to gross misconduct. My decision on outcome is that I am satisfied that PC Masum be immediately dismissed.”

A referral will now be made to the College of Policing for the officer to be added to the Barring List, preventing him from returning to the profession.