Policeman charged with misconduct

A Devon police officer has appeared in court charged with wilful misconduct.

Pc Geoffrey Batchelor, 33, allegedly made unauthorised access and disclosure of information held on the police computer to others.

Pc Batchelor, from Exmouth, pleaded not guilty to the charge of wilful misconduct at Bristol Crown Court.

The officer from the Devon and Cornwall force also pleaded not guilty to 10 other charges under the Data Protection Act.

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2002 and March 2004.

The case was adjourned for a pre-trial review at a date to be fixed at Bristol Crown Court.

Pc Batchelor, who is currently suspended from duty, was granted unconditional bail.