A SUFFOLK police constable has been charged with conspiracy to defraud an insurance company of almost £5,000.Suffolk Constabulary's James Hamilton, 28, of Burgess Place, Martlesham Heath, and co-defendant Linda Cook, 52, of Norwich Road, Little Stonham, are charged with conspiracy to defraud and dishonestly obtaining money.

A SUFFOLK police constable has been charged with conspiracy to defraud an insurance company of almost £5,000.

Suffolk Constabulary's James Hamilton, 28, of Burgess Place, Martlesham Heath, and co-defendant Linda Cook, 52, of Norwich Road, Little Stonham, are charged with conspiracy to defraud and dishonestly obtaining money.

The alleged offences against Eagle Star Insurance, are said by the Crown Prosecution Service to have taken place during a nine-month period between December 24, 2001 and September 2, 2002.

The amount of cash allegedly involved is £780 for a motorbike, and another £4,047 for hire charges for a replacement bike.

A police spokeswoman said: "I can confirm that James Hamilton, 28, was charged with another, with conspiracy to defraud.

"He was suspended from duty on May 20, pending the outcome of court proceedings and an internal investigation."

Hamilton, who worked as a police constable in Ipswich, was charged with the alleged offences on June 18,

Hamilton and Cook appeared for a preliminary hearing and a bail application before his honour Judge John Holt at Ipswich Crown Court.

They were released on conditional bail until September 12.

On that date they will be due to enter their pleas at Norwich Crown Court.

The maximum penalties for conspiracy to defraud is ten years in prison, and the same maximum sentence applies to obtaining property by deception.