West Midlands Police officer who caused major terror alert is jailed for seven years

The actions of Amar Tasaddiq Hussain, 29, prompted West Midlands Police to take unprecedented security measures to combat a supposed plot to kidnap a Muslim officer.

Hussain had hoped his bogus tip-off would discredit an official within an Islamic community group.

The malicious 999 call in December 2014 - passing on details of a"kidnap" plot - led to a man being arrested by counter-terrorism police at a tyre business in Walsall.

• MORE: How a Pc sparked a major terror alert just to get one over a rival

• MORE: 'A terrorist is going to kidnap a police officer today' - LISTEN to the chilling hoax 999 call

Reacting to the sentencing, West Midlands Police Assistant Chief Constable Marcus Beale said: "Today's sentencing reflects the severity of what Hussain did. He not only let down West Midlands Police, he has also let down the peaceful organisation, non-political organisation that he was part of.

"The impact of the threat had an unprecedented effect on officers and staff and in turn on their loved ones.

"Never before have we had to instruct officers and staff to call in after their tour of duty to let us know they had returned home safely.

"We also had to ensure other forces and key partners were fully aware and that we kept our communities as updated as we could; in some cases dispelling rumours that we had taken officers off the streets of the West Midlands.

"West Midlands Police expects the highest standards of those who work in the organisation and the vast majority of officers and staff uphold these high standards.

"There is absolutely no place in policing for those who abuse the trust placed in us by the public."

Hussain claimed in the call that he had been asked to drive for a man who had recently returned from Syria and was planning to 'kidnap and behead' an officer.

But it soon became obvious to police that the claims made against the innocent party were malicious.

Hussain was convicted by a jury of two counts of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Following a three-week trial at Stafford Crown Court two men from Birmingham - Adil Bashir, 26, and 31-year-old Muhammad Ali Sheikh - were also convicted on the same charges.

They were each given three year sentences.

Sentencing Hussain, recorder Michael Chambers said: "You showed no remorse and fought this case tooth and nail.

"You abused your position as a police officer and let down your community.

"Instead of setting an example as you should, you are the last person who should be a police officer, you are no role model.

"This call effectively forced West Midlands Police to drop everything and sparked widespread anxiety.

"You planned to cause chaos and disruption within the force at a time when the threat level in relation to terrorism was severe."

The prosecution of Hussain followed a police investigation supervised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

IPCC Commissioner Derrick Campbell today welcomed Hussain's sentence.

He said"It is only right that officers who undermine the very communities they serve as well as trust and confidence in the Police Service should be held accountable for their actions.

"Today's court outcome sends out a very clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated."