A former police officer jailed for three years for perverting the course of justice has had the sentence reduced - because six months of a year he spent on remand did not count towards it.

The sentence was cut to two years after Paul Traynier's lawyer said he would otherwise end up serving the equivalent of four years.

The 40-year-old, of Cliffe Road, Strood, was sentenced in September for two offences of perverting the course of justice. He was cleared of sexually assaulting a young girl.

He denied the charges at Maidstone Crown Court and after his conviction Judge Philip Statman branded him an "extremely manipulative individual".

Ian Henderson, defending, said although Traynier was on remand for a year the only period that would count towards the sentence was from March 26 to September 15.

If it had counted, he would be due for release next March, but as it did not he would have had to serve an extra six months.

Mr Henderson said the six months - equivalent of a year as such offenders only serve half the term imposed - would not count because of a quirk in the system.

"If you don't adjust the sentence and take the view there is no basis for it, he will end up serving a term equivalent to four years, rather than three years and that defeats the practical repercussions of your sentence," he told the judge.

Judge Statman at first maintained he had passed the appropriate sentence of three years, less time spent on remand.

"I had to sentence him for very serious offences of perverting the course of justice," he said. "I heard mitigation, he having contested the case, and I arrived at the appropriate level of sentence, which is three years.

"I bore in mind it was his first time in custody and as a police officer the hardship that would bring..." - Judge Philip Statman

"What I don't understand is that in the light of that which you have presented to me today that sentence should be undermined.

"The sentence in my mind was three years, which is appropriate for offences of this kind and gravity. I bore in mind it was his first time in custody and as a police officer the hardship that would bring."

But after considering the matter over the lunch adjournment, the judge agreed to reduce the sentence to two years.

Traynier's parents, John, 64, and 65-year-old Sheila, also of Cliffe Road, were cleared at the trial of two charges of perverting the course of justice.

His partner Tracey Sales, 36, of Cliffe Road, was cleared by direction of the judge of aiding, abetting or procuring sexual assault of a child and two offences of perverting the course of justice.

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