THE killer of a brave woman police officer from Ryedale has been jailed for eight years.

Alison Armitage died just four hours after being hit by car thief Thomas Whaley in Oldham, Greater Manchester.

The 29-year-old officer, originally from Appleton-le-Street, near Malton, was on duty when she was hit by the stolen car.

On passing sentencing yesterday Mr Justice Hunt told her 19-year-old killer: "You took the life of a brave conscientious and plainly absolutely outstanding officer who was doing her duty."

Whaley, of Abbeyhills Road, Oldham, denied a charge of murder at Manchester Crown Court but admitted one of manslaughter.

PC Armitage was knocked over by Whaley in the car park of a derelict pub in Oldham on March 5. The teenager then drove the car over her body.

She died four hours later at the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Whaley also admitted one charge of theft of the Vauxhall Vectra involved in her death, aggravated vehicle taking and driving whilst disqualified.

He was sentenced to 12 months in prison for the theft, four years for aggravated vehicle taking, and one year for driving whilst disqualified, the sentences to run concurrently. He was also banned from driving for ten years.

Mr Justice Hunt added: "You have devastated her family, her friends and her colleagues simply to save yourself from coming to court.

"These offences are so serious that only a custodial sentence of some length can be passed and that sentence must reflect public condemnation of what you did."

In a statement the Deputy Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, David McCrone said: "Alison Armitage was a woman who committed herself to the police service and to working to protect the community.

"It was a job she loved and a job she devoted her great energy and enthusiasm to and it was also a job she was very good at.

"Sadly her dedication as a police officer was to cost her her life as she and colleagues investigated a stolen car.

"Alison was a popular officer and much loved by colleagues in the force and in the community.

"She is still badly missed by all those who knew her and were touched by her great enthusiasm for the job she loved."

Updated: 09:24 Tuesday, November 20, 2001