A PROBATION worker was sacked after starting up a relationship with a convicted criminal while she was working on his case.

It is believed the relationship came to light after Pamela Armer, of Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle, accused Wayne Oxley of stealing money and jewellery from her.

Oxley, 35, of Clare Street, Burnley, appeared before Hyndburn magistrates on 28 November charged with the offences but the case was dropped after the charges were withdrawn.

At the time, Mrs Armer, 44, was working as a probation support officer for Mr Oxley which is how she met and started her relationship with him.

But bosses at the Lancashire Probation Service were concerned about the relationship and following a disciplinary hearing took the decision to fire her.

Colin Dearden, deputy chief officer for Lancashire Probation Service, said: "Pamela Armer was not the probation officer for Mr Oxley but she was a probation support officer so she did see him occasionally.

"I understand a relationship did develop between them and that is something that we took very seriously.

" We have a disciplinary procedure that we took her through and we took the decision to dismiss her.

"We expect our members to adhere to a strict professional code."

Mrs Armer was unavailable for comment.