A BRISTOL-BASED police officer has appeared in court charged with one count of fraud.

Shane Bird, 45, who is a sergeant at Avon and Somerset Police, appeared at Taunton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, March 20 charged with one count of fraud.

Bird is charged with falsely trying to obtain a refund for goods at a Boots store on November 23, 2014.

He has been released on bail and is due to appear in court again on a date to be fixed.

Bird is not currently performing public facing duties.