A police officer has been charged with murder after a woman was found fatally injured in a car park in Dorset.
Officers were called to the Horns Inn in the village of West Parley, on Saturday afternoon following reports of two people needing medical assistance.
Claire Parry, 41, from Bournemouth, was rushed to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital but died on Sunday morning.
A post-mortem examination found that the cause of death was a brain injury caused by compression of the neck.
Timothy Brehmer, 41, a Dorset Police constable, who was said to be known to the victim, was arrested at the scene of the incident and taken to Poole Hospital for treatment to injuries to his arms.
He was later released but then re-arrested on suspicion of murder following Mrs Parry’s death.
Brehmer was charged with murder on Monday and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court by video link on Tuesday.
He was not on duty at the time of the incident, but Dorset Police said due to his occupation and the seriousness of the charge, a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Callaghan said: “Detectives from our Major Crime Investigation Team are leading the investigation into this incident.
“We have kept the family of Mrs Parry updated throughout the investigation and family liaison officers continue to support them. Our thoughts remain with her family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Following inquiries into this incident, we have consulted with the Crown Prosecution Service, which has authorised a charge of murder.
“It is important to stress that it would be entirely inappropriate for Dorset Police to comment any further ahead of the court process. It is vital that the justice system is allowed to follow its course.”
