Schools liaison police officer, 38, died when she was hit by a train as she faced the sack over convictions for drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child under seven

• PC Lianne Matthews, 38, was hit by a train weeks before disciplinary hearing  
• Matthews, based in Roath, Cardiff, was found on the tracks in nearby Caerphilly
• Matthews fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after conviction
• Matthews joined force in 2006 and her partner Geraint is detective in same force

A shamed schools liaison officer was found dead on a railway track as she faced the sack for being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child.

PC Lianne Matthews, 38, was hit by a train in a suspected suicide just weeks before she was due to face a disciplinary hearing for 'discreditable conduct.'

Mother-of-three PC Matthews was fined £1,000 and banned from driving for 20 months after being convicted of drink-driving and being drunk in charge of a child under seven.

She faced the sack from the force as she faced a disciplinary hearing by South Wales Police next month.

But PC Matthews, based in Roath, Cardiff, was found dead in the neighbouring Gwent police force area in Caerphilly.

PC Matthews joined the force in 2006 and her partner Geraint is a detective in the same force.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman confirmed the 'sudden death' of an officer on February 3.

The spokeswoman said: 'The officer's family are currently being supported by specially-trained officers and our thoughts remain very much with them, her friends and colleagues who are grieving at this time.

'The officer's death is being investigated by British Transport Police.

'She had been due to appear before a misconduct hearing in March to answer an allegation of discreditable conduct, following a conviction at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on September 9.

'As a result South Wales Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.'

Her police role included teaching children on the dangers of drink and drug abuse - including regular visits to schools.

Emergency services were called to Energlyn and Churchill Park station in Caerphilly after reports of a body on the tracks.

British Transport Police said a person had been pronounced dead at the scene. Officers confirmed it was not being treated as suspicious.

Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court said PC Matthews pleaded guilty to both charges.

A spokeswoman said: 'The offences were driving with excess alcohol and drunk in charge of a child under the age of seven years.'

PC Matthews was fined £1,000, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £100 and prosecution costs of £85.

She was also disqualified from driving for 20 months.

Caerphilly councillor Jamie Pritchard said: 'Local residents are in shock and thoughts are going out from the community'.

A police source said: 'This is shocking for people who know Lianne and Geraint very well.

'It was an ordinary Monday and she had been on duty on the day she died.

'People here want an investigation to make sure the force carried out a proper duty of care to Lianne after a very difficult time.

'The conviction would have hit her particularly hard and she faced the consequences in court. But that was months ago and the thought of disciplinary action is very significant.

'No officer wants to be described as being discreditable to the force.'

An inquest is due to be held by the Gwent coroner.