A police officer involved in the investigation of an Andover murder is to appear in court, charged with the forgery of a witness statement.

Detective Constable Robert Ferrow has been accused of having “completed and signed the statement of a witness during the investigation into the murder of Lucy-Anne Rushton.”

He has been charged under the Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 with “making a false instrument with intent for it to be accepted as genuine” and is set to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court.

The charge follows an investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct, the body which oversees the handling of complaints against police forces in England and Wales.

It opened an investigation into DC Ferrow in August 2019, and concluded it in July of this year. They then passed a file of evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service, which has made the decision to charge the officer.

Hampshire Constabulary said that the officer is currently on restricted duties.

DC Ferrow was one of the officers investigating the murder of Lucy-Anne Rushton, who was killed by her husband Shaun Dyson on June 23 2019 at her home in Suffolk Road, Andover.

The 30-year-old sustained 37 rib fractures, a broken sternum, internal blood loss and torn bowel ligaments during the attack by Dyson, and was described as suffering a “miserable, wretched and drawn out death”.

Dyson initially denied murder, having admitting to his wife’s manslaughter but changed his plea to guilty during his trial. Described as “jealous, controlling and violent” by the judge, he was given a life sentence, with a minimum of 17 years to be served before he will be considered for release.

Earlier this year, Lucy’s family paid tribute to her, calling her “the life of the party” and saying that “she will always be remembered.”

DC Ferrow will appear at Basingstoke Magistrates Court on December 18.