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| Officers sacked for youth attack | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Two policemen have been sacked and a third told to resign after they assaulted a teenager and then tried to cover it up. | Two policemen have been sacked and a third told to resign after they assaulted a teenager and then tried to cover it up. |
| The IPCC said William Docherty, 42 and Sean Holiditch, 43, of Northamptonshire Police, were found guilty of seven charges by a disciplinary hearing. | The IPCC said William Docherty, 42 and Sean Holiditch, 43, of Northamptonshire Police, were found guilty of seven charges by a disciplinary hearing. |
| Another officer, Steve Eaton, 50, was required to resign after pleading guilty to three charges. | Another officer, Steve Eaton, 50, was required to resign after pleading guilty to three charges. |
| IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal branded the officers a "disgrace". | IPCC Commissioner Amerdeep Somal branded the officers a "disgrace". |
| Disciplinary hearing | Disciplinary hearing |
| The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) looked into allegations that the officers, based at Campbell Square, Northampton, assaulted and threatened the youth, then attempted to pervert the course of justice. | |
| The 16-year-old was arrested in Daventry in November 2006, after running from a car which was initially believed to be stolen. | |
| They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter Amerdeep Somal, IPCC commissioner | They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter Amerdeep Somal, IPCC commissioner |
| He had been wanted for breach of bail and was on warrant for failing to appear at court. | |
| He was arrested at 1930 GMT but he did not arrive at the custody suite in Northampton until just before 2200 GMT later that evening. | He was arrested at 1930 GMT but he did not arrive at the custody suite in Northampton until just before 2200 GMT later that evening. |
| The youth claimed that during the two-and-a-half hour period the officers used a disabling pepper spray on him and threatened and intimidated him while driving him around the Daventry area. He said they also tried to plant drugs on him. | The youth claimed that during the two-and-a-half hour period the officers used a disabling pepper spray on him and threatened and intimidated him while driving him around the Daventry area. He said they also tried to plant drugs on him. |
| It later transpired that the car was not stolen. | It later transpired that the car was not stolen. |
| The officers, who were part of the Northamptonshire West Tactical Team, were subsequently charged with the criminal offence of misconduct in public office and one was charged with assault. | The officers, who were part of the Northamptonshire West Tactical Team, were subsequently charged with the criminal offence of misconduct in public office and one was charged with assault. |
| However, a decision was later taken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) not to proceed with a criminal prosecution. | |
| Following this decision the force decided that the officers would face a disciplinary hearing. | Following this decision the force decided that the officers would face a disciplinary hearing. |
| Unacceptable behaviour | Unacceptable behaviour |
| IPCC commissioner Ms Somal said: "The actions of these officers were totally unacceptable. | IPCC commissioner Ms Somal said: "The actions of these officers were totally unacceptable. |
| "They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter. | "They abused their position of authority by using violence and threats to intimidate this youth and cover up the matter. |
| "They have brought disgrace upon themselves and the force and I applaud the fact that decisive action has been taken against them." | "They have brought disgrace upon themselves and the force and I applaud the fact that decisive action has been taken against them." |
| Assistant Chief Constable Derek Talbot, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "These three officers originally faced charges that were withdrawn by the CPS with our agreement. | Assistant Chief Constable Derek Talbot, of Northamptonshire Police, said: "These three officers originally faced charges that were withdrawn by the CPS with our agreement. |
| "Despite this fact, we decided that the matter was so serious that they should face a disciplinary panel. | "Despite this fact, we decided that the matter was so serious that they should face a disciplinary panel. |
| "The outcome reinforces that fact that Northamptonshire Police demands and expects a high standard of behaviour from its officers and will act when these standards are breached." | "The outcome reinforces that fact that Northamptonshire Police demands and expects a high standard of behaviour from its officers and will act when these standards are breached." |
| In a statement, the CPS said it had discontinued the case due to a legal ruling, but declined to give further details. | In a statement, the CPS said it had discontinued the case due to a legal ruling, but declined to give further details. |
| A CPS spokesperson said: "We charged all three officers concerned with malfeasance [legally unjustified act] in public office and one of them with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. | A CPS spokesperson said: "We charged all three officers concerned with malfeasance [legally unjustified act] in public office and one of them with assault occasioning actual bodily harm. |
| "While the case was in court, a legal ruling was made that meant that we could no longer continue the prosecution." | "While the case was in court, a legal ruling was made that meant that we could no longer continue the prosecution." |