A police officer who fitted two bathrooms and a boiler whilst on sick leave has escaped jail.

PC Steve Trendell, 30, took 246 days off over a 14-month period while he set up a bathroom and kitchen business.

Yesterday he was sentenced to six months, suspended for a year, and 250 hours community service for two acts of deception.

The PC told his bosses he had sciatica - acute pain in the leg and hips due to nerve irritation - and needed surgery.

But in Oct 2004, during three days off, he installed a bathroom at a fee of £1,300. A manager visited him at the time, only to see him pull up in his company van.

In May and June 2005, Trendell claimed another ten days' sick leave while he fitted a boiler for £2,240.

At the same time the PC pocketed £954.92 in sick pay.

He was arrested and suspended in February after anti-corruption officers were tipped off about his activities. Trendell has since resigned.

"PC Trendell took advantage of those who offered sympathy and support in relation to his feigned back injury," said Detective Sergeant Lindsay Dick, of the Met's anti-corruption unit.

"Colleagues strived to accommodate PC Trendell's needs... whilst in reality he proved himself to be a selfish individual who sought to continue to receive a police salary without actually carrying out any of the duties expected."

Misused police computer system

Earlier he admitted three counts of obtaining personal information from the Met's computer system about himself, his partner and friends.

Trendell also pleaded guilty to a string of driving offences, including driving without a license and vehicle insurance.

Yesterday at Wimbledon magistrates' court, Magistrate Edith MacAuley told him: "You were a serving police officer when you committed these offences of deception. You have lost your reputation as a result of them.

"We take these matters very seriously as they involve fraud of the public purse."