Cop warned of retaliation for 'ratting'

A Sydney constable could face retaliation for "ratting" on his boss over a bogus report to help the sergeant's son, a court has heard.

Nathan Frank, 36, was on Friday given an 18-month good behaviour bond over the August 2014 incident.

Magistrate Christopher O'Brien said no conviction would be recorded against Frank, a former mechanic and Sydney constable who made a bogus report to help his sergeant's son beat a $425 fine over a car crash.

The magistrate also warned Frank about the possible perils of speaking out against his boss, during a brief sentencing at Downing Centre Local Court.

Frank skimmed his feet back and forth across the carpet in the courtroom on Friday as Mr O'Brien explained the constable's assistance in the prosecution of Sergeant Jason Clarke.

Mr O'Brien said there was remorse and an early guilty plea, which meant no conviction would be recorded against Frank.

The magistrate added that Frank, whose future in the force was yet to be determined, would have been "under considerable pressure to comply with the directions" his boss had given him.

The instructions were, the court heard, to make a report attributing blame for Sergeant Clarke's son's crash on mechanical defects.

In a written confession Frank admitted never even inspecting the car, but gave the report to investigators.

Consequently, no action was taken against Sergeant Clarke's son.

Frank, who was charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage, is now helping in the prosecution of Sergeant Clarke.

It was stated by Mr O'Brien that some misguided police may retaliate for the "brave stance" the constable had taken.

"He has now, to use the vernacular, ratted on a fellow officer," Mr O'Brien said.

Frank had wanted to join the police since he was a child and while his future is unclear, Mr O'Brien said it would have been harder for him to return to work had a conviction been recorded.

Sergeant Clarke's matter remains before the courts.