Ex-policemanis up in court (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Ex-policemanis up in court

A FORMER policeman had a charge against him thrown out after a colleague failed to show at Swindon Magistrates' Court to give evidence against him.

Former Slough detective constable Lee Hughes, 36, had been due to stand trial for failing to provide a specimen of breath.

But when the officer dealing with the case was unable to attend for "operational reasons", it was decided not to take the matter any further.

Hughes, who has since resigned from the force, admitted an offence of criminal damage.

The charges against him related to an incident at a woman's home in Windsor, on April 6 last year, the court heard.

Hughes kicked and punched the front door of the woman's house while off-duty.

Swindon Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered Hughes to pay court costs of £254.

A public order charge against him was also dropped.