Former PC 3385246, 31, tried to pocket hundreds of thousands from insurers after claiming to have suffered a ‘life changing’ injury while on duty with Essex Police in 2009.

A police officer who tried to claim £300,000 for a 'life changing' shoulder injury was caught reaching for high shelves, carrying her child and throwing balls for her dog, a court has heard.

Former PC Laura Hall, 31, allegedly tried to pocket hundreds of thousands from insurers after suffering the injury while on duty with Essex Police in 2009.

The court heard how she had been dragged along the road by a car for 15 metres, an incident which she said left her unable to wash, dress, cook or lift heavy objects.

But insurers became suspicious about her claims and followed Hall for eight days as she took part in everyday activities.

They found her carrying out numerous activities which were 'at odds' with her claims, including lifting heavy bags and walking her dog, the court was told.

They even filmed the mother-of-one behind the wheel of a manual car, despite her claiming that she needed an automatic vehicle because she could no longer change gears, the court heard.

Opening the case at the Old Bailey, Prosecutor Andrew Frymann told jurors how Hall quickly abandoned her claim when confronted with the covert footage. She then asked for just £15,000 in compensation.

‘That claim was based on lies she persisted with,' Mr Frymann said.

‘Laura Hall repeatedly dishonestly misrepresented the extent of her injuries and effects to doctors examining her and lied about the extent she was entitled to financial compensation from Royal Sun Alliance (RSA).

‘The fact she knew she had been dishonest can also be seen by her behaviour when confronted with evidence of her lies.

‘When she was shown the camcorder footage, she was quick to accept a payment of £15,000 in final settlement.’

Mr Frymann said the undercover investigators picked random days to follow Hall and film her going about everyday activities.

‘She had complained and told various doctors that she was unable to carry anything heavy, unable to carry her child, having difficulties cooking, unable to dress herself or bathe without assistance,' he said.

'She said she had also been forced to buy an expensive car because she found it difficult to drive a manual car.

‘RSA became suspicious and decided to commission covert surveillance on eight days in 2011 and 2012.

‘It showed a consistent pattern - Laura Hall was undertaking day to day activities, seemingly unaffected by the incident.'

He added: ‘All of these activities were directly at odds with what she told various doctors about the loss of functionality in her left shoulder.’

The court was told how Hall had been injured when she and a colleague had stopped a suspect driving a car. The suspect suddenly tried to drive off, dragging Hall along the ground for up to 15m.

‘She said she sustained whiplash style injuries and was examined by a number of doctors, and was found to have some soft tissue injuries to the left shoulder,' Mr Frymann said said.

She was placed on light duties and eventually signed off sick in 2010. During that time, she fell pregnant and went on maternity leave.

When she was due to return to work, she was put on sick leave again.

Hall, whose was charged under her maiden name Simmons, retired due to ill health on July 31, 2012 and is receiving a medical pension of £2,300 a month.

But she also continued to pursue her claim against RSA as it had insured the motorist responsible for her injury.

Mr Frymann said when interviewed, Hall claimed the covert footage showed her ‘on good days’ and said the fact RSA had paid out at all showed she had not done anything wrong.

Hall, of Canvey Island, Essex, denies one count of fraud.