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A police officer has been charged with murder after a woman was found strangled in a car park.
Dorset Police named the woman as Claire Parry, 41, from Bournemouth, and said PC Timothy Brehmer, who has been charged, was not on duty at the time of the incident in West Parley on Saturday.
The ambulance service called police to the car park of the Horns Inn, in Christchurch Road, at 3.39pm on Saturday after paramedics found two people needing medical assistance.
Mrs Parry was taken to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital but died on Sunday morning.
The force said: “A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of death was a brain injury caused by compression of the neck.”
PC Brehmer was arrested at the scene of the incident and taken to Poole Hospital for treatment to injuries to his arms.
He was later discharged from hospital and was further arrested on suspicion of murder.
The force said: “Brehmer – a police constable with Dorset Police who is currently seconded to the National Police Air Service (NPAS) – has been charged with murder.
“He is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court via remote link on Tuesday.
“Brehmer was not on duty at the time of the incident. However, due to his occupation and the seriousness of the charge, a referral has been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).
“The pair were known to each other.”
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 authorized 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.
“I would also like to remind the public that this matter is now the subject of active court proceedings and the individual charged in connection with this investigation has a right to a fair trial.
“It is important that there should be no commentary or sharing of information online or on social media that could potentially prejudice these proceedings.”
