PCSO denies charges after 'stabbing herself to claim compensation'

A former PCSO has pleaded not guilty to fraud, possession of a knife and perverting course of justice after it is claimed she stabbed herself to seek compensation.

Olivia Morphew, 24, is alleged to have stabbed herself in Esher, Surrey, in June 2022 and subsequently submitted a compensation claim for her injuries. 

The pleaded not guilty to the charges at Southwark Crown Court today, the BBC reports. The charges follow an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in July 2022 after the former police community support officer reported being stabbed in an attack.

When she was found with a 'serious' knife wound in her arm, three teenagers were arrested on the same day in nearby Claygate on suspicion of attempted murder. 

A kitchen knife with a 9cm stainless steel blade was recovered at the scene. At the time, Surrey Police said it was 'appalled' by the alleged attack. 

However, the three boys who were arrested when Morphew, of Hertford, reported the attack have faced no further action since. 

The police watchdog started investigating the incident after a referral from Surrey Police who said the charges relate to an allegation of assault reported to the force on June 21, 2022. 

An IOPC spokesman said: 'Our investigation began following a conduct referral from the force in July 2022.

'After concluding our investigation in April 2023, we referred a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, who authorised the charges.'  

Morphew is understood to have resigned in September 2022 during the course of the IOPC investigation. 

A trial date has been set for December 2026.