A FORMER police officer who was sacked for sending sordid emails to a man later convicted of child sex offences has died.

Ex Wiltshire Police constable Paul Woollard, who was 43, died last Sunday in the Great Western Hospital.

Mr Woollard, who was based in Highworth, perished days after being involved in a car crash in Marlborough Road.

A Wiltshire Police spokesman said:

“At 10:30 pm on Friday 4 March 2016 officers attended a single vehicle collision on Marlborough Road, Swindon. A man was taken by ambulance to Great Western Hospital but passed away on Sunday 6th March. No one else was involved in the collision.

“The deceased has been formally identified as Paul Woollard, 43 from Swindon. Mr Woollard’s family are aware and a file will be prepared on behalf of H M Coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon.”

Mr Woollard made national news in 2012 when messages revealed he had used his work email to joke about rape with sex offender Robert Meade. Meade was later jailed for sexually molesting a 14-year-old girl.

Woollard, who knew Meade through a shared love of cricket and angling, later used the police intelligence system to run checks on his friend.

Following his dismissal for gross misconduct in 2010, Woollard appealed to the Police Appeals Tribunal in 2011 and was cleared to work, which said he should be reinstated with a final warning.

But Mr Justice Wyn Williams said the emails, combined with PC Woollard’s other misbehaviour meant he could not remain as a serving police officer and gave Wiltshire Police permission to dismiss him.

Mr Woollard was a life-long supporter of Fatboy’s cancer charity, which began in 1999. The charity was set up in memory of fellow Swindon police officer Mike “Fatboy” Lawless who died from cancer aged 31 in 1999.

Fatboys posted a tribute to Mr Woollard on their Facebook page.

“Fatboys is saddened to learn of the sudden passing of a long-time supporter of our charity and former Lawless XV rugby player,” it said.

“He was a huge Dan Reed Network fan and was looking forward to seeing the band for the first time tomorrow at our fundraiser.

“We are saddened by your loss, especially at such a young age, and extend our heartfelt sympathies to your family. RIP.”