A JUDGE last night made a direct plea to a North-East chief constable not to sack a village policeman who forged the signature of a witness.

Although PC Paul Gallagher pleaded guilty to att-empting to pervert the course of justice, Judge Guy Whitburn said he hoped the officer would not get the sack.

Gallagher, 35, blamed the stress of the job in West Cornforth, County Durham, as the reason he forged the signature to help ease his increasing workload.

At the time he was only getting a couple of hours' sleep a night due to what were described as "very considerable" work pressures.

The judge told Gallagher at Newcastle Crown Court: "You are clearly an officer who is highly regarded by your colleagues and it is extremely sad you should appear before me pleading guilty to what in a number of instances is an extremely serious offence.

"I take into account the pressures you were under at work and the pressures you were subject to with sleepless nights.

"I hope what I have said in the course of sentencing you will be drawn to the attention of the chief constable.

"Stupid mistake it was, a mistake which in the event had no lasting consequences.

"I only hope an officer of your quality can be retained in the force."

The court heard how Gallagher was investigating a gang of youths terrorising one resident in West Cornforth. The woman had been subjected to 76 incidents, including petty vandalism and theft from her home.

Gallagher installed security cameras at her house which picked up one youth running away after committing an offence.

The officer had drafted a statement from the woman and intended to get her to sign it.

But he forgot. He then committed a "very stupid act" by forging her signature and passing the signed statement to the investigating officers.

The offence came to light when the woman contacted police to say she had not given a witness statement after being told the youth had been charged.

It was dated December 8, 2003 - two days after the alleged offence had been committed.

An internal police investigation was launched and Gallagher initially claimed he had handed the statement to the two officers unsigned.

Later, when he was interviewed under caution, he made a full admission of guilt.

Euan Duff, mitigating, said Gallagher would always go beyond the call of duty to help the villagers of West Cornforth.

"This is a desperately sad case because here we have a thoroughly decent, good police officer," said Mr Duff.

"He has put himself out to deal with the problems faced by this woman. He made one stupid mistake at a time when he was under huge pressure from work and home."

The court was read a letter from the woman whose signature the officer forged.

It said: "I do not want anyone to lose their job. PC Gallagher made a foolish error and he must learn from it."

He received a conditional discharge for 28 days and was ordered to pay £250 costs.

Earlier this week, a case against two men facing racial abuse charges was thrown out because Gallagher was not well enough to give evidence.

A Durham Police spokesman said: "PC Gallagher remains suspended from duty and a disciplinary hearing will follow in due course.

"The hearing will be chaired by a member of the force's senior management and should take place either this month or next."