A PRISON officer who once received an award for saving a person's life has pleaded guilty to fraud. 

Brian Norcross and Julie Thompson, from Lancaster, both appeared at Furness Magistrates' Court yesterday charged with fraudulently claiming mileage expenses for work. 

Despite living in Lancaster, the pair were stationed at HMP Haverigg, near Millom, and were required to make the three-hour round trip to work.

Mr Lee Dacre, prosecuting, said: "Both the defendants were prison officers and were based at Lancaster but on duty at Haverigg Prison. 

"They were entitled to claim mileage expenses and the defendants made claims to be travelling individually but were actually sharing cars. They claimed that they made the journey alone in their own cars."

Mr Dacre said the pair had "breached a high level of trust" through these actions.

Over a period of two months the pair claimed a total of £497 worth of expenses by claiming for separate journeys while actually travelling to work together. 

Both defendants pleaded guilty to four counts of fraud between March and May last year.

Mr John Batty, who was defending the pair, said: "I would like to say on behalf of the defendants how embarrassed they are about appearing before the court today but they do realise the significance of what they did over a relatively short period of time. 

"Both have lost their good name and inevitably lost their careers. 

"They have co-operated with their employers for more than 34 years between them in what was a very stressful job."

The defendants, who are now no longer employed by the prison service, have no immediate employment plans.

Both defendants received a six month community order involving 60 hours of unpaid work. 

Norcross was ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs, a £60 victim surcharge and £258.50 compensation. 

Thompson was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs, a £60 victim surcharge and £239.25 in compensation. 

Mr Batty added: "This was completely out of character and it's very sad to see them both here.

"Mr Norcross has brought letters from his former employer outlining how effective he was as a police officer. 

"He once won an award for saving the life of an individual and there was another time he came to the assistance of a female officer in need."